Annuar Musa meets Dr M on strengthening Malay unity

 

Annuar Musa (right) in a meeting with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Mahathir’s residence earlier today. (Annuar Musa Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former Kelantan Umno strongman Annuar Musa has met Dr Mahathir Mohamad to discuss Malay-Bumiputera unity, just days before he is expected to announce his re-entry into party politics.

Annuar, who was expelled from Umno in December, said he and Mahathir had agreed to strengthen Malay and Bumiputera unity, to ensure the community “returns to being at the core of the country’s administration” and at the centre of the nation’s political landscape.

Mahathir had claimed in March that Malays had taken a back seat in politics and no longer dominated the economy. He predicted a bleak future for Malaysia as long as Malays were not the dominant force.

Annuar said it was also important to nurture a consensus or accord (muafakat) for managing Malaysia as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country “as Tun has done for a long time as prime minister”.

Muafakat is the name of an alliance formed between Umno and PAS in September 2019 to unite the Malay-Muslim electorate; it fell apart when PAS supported Bersatu in forming a government led by Muhyiddin Yassin.

Annuar was expelled from Umno in December for resisting Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s decision to team up with Pakatan Harapan in forming the current unity government.

He then formed an organisation called Muafakat Nasional.

Annuar said that although he and Mahathir had different opinions and political leanings, he had always admired Mahathir for his contributions to the nation.

“We have agreed to continuously strengthen the unity among the Malays and Bumiputeras and ensure that they return to the core of the country’s administration and political scene.” - FMT