Annuar Musa sacked as BN sec-gen

 

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa has been sacked as BN secretary-general.

This was confirmed by a senior Umno leader to Malaysiakini.

Another source said the Ketereh MP will be replaced by Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan, who is also the Umno secretary-general.

"His (Annuar) position will be taken over by Ahmad, along with the position of Muafakat Nasional's secretary-general," the source added.

The decision said to be made today followed Annuar's reported remarks perceived as being more friendly towards Bersatu, amid a move within Umno divisions nationwide to review ties with its allies in Perikatan Nasional (PN).

In March last year, Ahmad had also taken over Annuar's position as the then Umno secretary-general.

However, one of the sources tried to cushion the blow against Annuar, claiming that his removal was only an administrative strategy.

"We just want one person to handle (party affairs)," said the Umno insider.

He was referring to the normal practice by Umno and BN, where the former's secretary-general would automatically hold the same position in BN. 

Sources told Malaysiakini that the decision was reached during an Umno meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, which started this morning.

Ahmad Maslan

When met by the media on the side of the meeting this afternoon, Ahmad denied that Annuar was sacked from the position.

Instead, he stressed that the decision was only to follow the normal practice.

"Normally, the secretary-general of Umno is also the secretary-general for BN. So I believe that it is one of the reasons.

"I want to stress that the right word is 'replace'. The president also used the same word, which is for me to replace (Annuar) in his duty," Ahmad said. 

However, Ahmad refused to comment when asked if the decision had anything to do with Annuar's public statements which were not in line with the party leadership's stance.

Meanwhile, Annuar is believed to have yet to receive official notice on the decision to remove him.

Taking to Twitter, the veteran politician posted a screenshot of his text message to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, where Annuar said that he only learnt about it from the media.

"I was informed by the media that I am being removed as the secretary-general of BN and Muafakat Nasional.

"I would like to express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve in both capacities," he said in the screenshot, adding that he wished the party president all the best.  

According to Annuar, he received many requests from the media to comment on the matter.

"I do not have anything to comment at the moment. It's time for me to cool down (bertenang)," he tweeted.

In a separate tweet, Annuar said he would address the matter in a press conference tomorrow afternoon. - Mkini