MN member Nazri distances himself from Annuar's pro-PN stand

Former Umno minister Nazri Aziz is a member of Muafakat Nasional, which is helmed by another former Umno minister Annuar Musa.

However, the Malaysian ambassador to the United States, who had declared his support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the past, distanced himself from Annuar’s backing for Perikatan Nasional.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Nazri (above, right) clarified that he is still an Umno member. Annuar (above, left), on the other hand, is a PAS member.

“Muafakat Nasional is an NGO. I can understand what Annuar is doing now.

"Annuar is a PAS member. He can do his own thing, I do my own thing. Muafakat Nasional is apolitical,” he added.

Annuar, a former Umno division chief and Ketereh MP for over three decades, has since been appointed as a PAS central committee member, PAS deputy election director and also named to lead the party’s machinery in the ongoing Nenggiri by-election.

Muafakat Nasional was also the name of the now-defunct political alliance between Umno and PAS after the 2018 general election.

Well-received NGO

Nazri said Muafakat Nasional, in its current iteration as an NGO, is well received by both Umno members and PAS members.

“Also, people say that Muafakat Nasional only focuses on Malay unity, but it does not suppress the non-Malays.

“We are very Malaysian in our nature,” he added.

Earlier, Annuar posted a photograph of himself with Nazri on Facebook. He thanked the “chief” - the term often used in reference to Nazri - for joining Muafakat Nasional.

He also reiterated that Muafakat Nasional would remain an NGO and its membership open to all regardless of political affiliations, race, religion, and culture.

“Muafakat Nasional prioritises moderation and love, unity premised on pribumi (Malays and bumiputera) unity as well as mutual respect in the context of a multiracial society,” he added. - Mkini