Umno information chief Annuar Musa does not believe Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was behind a statutory declaration (SD) against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, which was distributed to MPs.

"Impossible!" said the Ketereh MP when quizzed on the matter.

"I am both a parliamentarian and Ku Li's (Tengku Razaleigh's) friend.

"I know him and his methods. I don't think he will do something that is outside the rules," Annuar told reporters in the Parliament lobby today.

He argued that perhaps some people had made use of Tengku Razaleigh's name to influence others.

"Maybe some parties are trying to use his influence at certain times. That may be it," he said.

Annuar added that as a person who is known for his respect of the constitution, it is certain that Tengku Razaleigh could not have been involved in the matter.

"Knowing him, he is a person who holds true to the constitution. For certain it was not Ku Li (who distributed the SD)," he argued.

'Not even a whisper'

Asked if such a document was ever circulated among the members of the Dewan Rakyat, Annuar said that no such thing had ever taken place.

In fact he had never even heard whispers of an SD.

"If there were, as one of those closest to him, he would have whispered it to me. Only now we hear this tale. It would seem that those who know more, are not Umno members.

"Maybe there were efforts from certain quarters and maybe they saw Ku Li as a person who is often quiet and does not talk much. Maybe they tried to use Ku Li," he said.

Asked who did he thought were the parties that might be trying to make use of Ku Li, Annuar said he was only speaking in general.

"I do not name anyone. But there was an attempt to use Ku Li. Maybe by those who were disappointed that he signed the document (Kelantan Declaration)," he answered.

Quizzed about the increasingly aggressive stance being taken by ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad in his quest to unseat Najib, the former cabinet minister said it was to be expected, as once the good doctor did not like something, he would not let it go.

"I know Mahathir. I think I also know how he acts. When he feels he doesn't like something, he will not stop just like that. He will do something. That we understand and we are prepared to face his approach.

"But in my heart, I still believe that Mahathir will understand what he is doing is inappropriate. It's just that he has no choice. Let him be with his ways.

As for Umno, we can manage things well here," concluded Annuar.