Kelantan is rife with talk that the state's deputy Umno chairperson Annuar Musa had indicated his intention to relinquish his post. This, if true, will almost certainly spark another round of power struggle among state leaders.

Some local party leaders have linked Annuar's decision to quit with the on-going investigations into the misappropriation of RM36.5 million from a fund for the hardcore poor in Kelantan and Terengganu, during his tenure as rural development minister prior to the 1999 general election.

So far, four people including the former and current secretary-general of the ministry, have been quizzed over the matter.

The Anti-Corruption Agency have also reportedly recorded a statement from Annuar on the matter recently.

A local Umno leader told malaysiakini today that Annuar, who is also party supreme council member, has repeatedly indicated his intention to relinquish the deputy chair post during state party meetings.

On March 29, a news report claimed that 12 out of the 14 Umno division heads in Kelantan were seeking to replace Umno office bearers to boost the party's chances of recapturing the state in the next general election.

Unpredictable lot

The report said the division heads felt that the state Umno chief Mustapha Mohammad had too much on his plate and was unable to handle the problems effectively, especially in dealing with PAS.

Mustapha, who is also Umno national information chief took over the position in June 2000.

The heads also called for the return of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as Kelantan Umno liaison chief. Razaleigh was replaced after Umno's miserable performance in the state during the 1999 general elections.

Although Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denied the report, political observers have described Kelantan Umno leaders as an "unpredictable lot".

Commenting on the situation, a party leader had earlier likened the situation in Kelantan Umno to the 'crab story' in which selfish crabs prevented each other from scaling the fisherman's basket to freedom.

This internal quagmire, he said, was the main reason behind Barisan Nasional's repeated failure to capture the state from PAS.

"The problem for BN in Kelantan is not PAS but Umno. Before one crab can climb over, another crab will pull him down," he lamented.

Pro-opposition students

Meanwhile, party sources told malaysiakini today that Annuar is keen to help Umno tackle the 'problem' of Malaysian students abroad being mostly pro-opposition.

"Even the Umno leadership has acknowledged Annuar's potential in this area after his stunning performance when participating in a forum organised by Malaysian students in Britain early last year, which was also attended by PAS Youth leader, Mahfuz Omar," said one of the sources.

According to the source, the student organisation had earlier extended the invitation to Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein to participate in the forum but was turned down.

"Annuar, who happened to be in London then, called the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and volunteered to represent the party in the forum," said the source.

According to party sources, Annuar had impressed the audience with his oratory skill and had successfully defended the government during the forum.