Why not Najib? Kit Siang lost elections, but remains DAP adviser - Annuar

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa has defended Najib Abdul Razak's appointment as chairperson of the BN advisory board, saying the embattled former premier is very much an asset to the coalition.

Annuar said although BN lost the 14th general election under Najib, it does not mean he does not have useful experience to share.

"We have to remember that Lim Kit Siang has been DAP adviser for many years. How many times has DAP lost in the past 13 general elections? Lim stayed on as their adviser.

"So this is a non-issue. Just because someone has lost once, this doesn't mean the person is disqualified from becoming an adviser.

"Najib still has a role to play. In fact, he is an asset," he told reporters in Parliament today.

Elaborating, Annuar said the many corruption charges against Najib (photo) are no reason for Umno to "disown" him.

"Their (Umno leaders') charges are seen as independent of them. As a party, we need to move on.

"The party has made a stand that we will not disown or backstab our own leaders because they are charged (in court),” he said.

Yesterday, one-time Najib loyalist Nazri Abdul Aziz termed the appointment "regressive," and questioned how the former premier could advise BN.

Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin also expressed his disappointment with the move.

Responding to this, Annuar said the party had "no problem" with personal opinions.

"Everyone has a role to play, but what is difficult is when you are given a role, but decline it. That is a problem.

"There are some people who don’t want to take any responsibility, but talk a lot. That's not good," he said, later clarifying that he was making a "general statement" and not referring to anyone in particular.

“You must be a team player, but at the same time, there is nothing wrong with expressing your personal views,” he added.

'Don’t discount strengths'

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (photo) also came to the defence of his predecessor.

"If a leader or individual has good ideas and is proactive, of course, we welcome this.

"It is not appropriate to have views that discount someone’s strengths... especially when that person has enough influence to bring multiple generations and races (to support BN) and win the 15th general election," he said.

Zahid added that more people are expected to be appointed to the BN advisory board, but was scant on details.

"There will be representatives from MCA, MIC and Umno. And maybe an eminent person, not from any party,” he said.

Similarly, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said Najib has a role to play in advising the former ruling coalition.

"I am not surprised by these two guys (Nazri and Khairy). They always have their own views.

"The charges (against Najib) are of no harm. At least he fights them in court," Bung told Malaysiakini when met on the sidelines of Parliament. - Mkini