As axe looms for Umno rebels, Annuar says there are 'other govt parties'

Speculation is rife that Umno incumbents not aligned with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be axed as candidates for the upcoming general election.

However, Ketereh incumbent Annuar Musa decided to keep cool-headed today, saying that there was no need to panic or lose one’s temper if dropped as there are many options for politicians now - including "other government parties".

This is in contrast to Arau incumbent Shahidan Kassim, who dramatically announced that all BN operations centres in the constituency would be closed after the axing rumours surfaced.

Speaking at a press conference today, Annuar (above) acknowledged rumours that he might not be picked to run for a third term in Ketereh.

He said that Ketereh Puteri Umno chief Marzuani Ardila Ariffin informed him that she was offered the seat instead, but he is unsure if she had accepted it.

Unperturbed, Annuar said there was no need to speculate about BN's GE15 candidates and that the process should be left to the party and coalition leaders.

‘Don’t panic’

Annuar stressed that he would not lobby, ask, or beg to be fielded and urged others on the chopping block to also keep calm.

"Don't panic as though being a candidate is everything, what is important is serving the people, being honest, and continuing to serve till the end.

"What is important is that your conscience is clear," the communications and multimedia minister said in Kota Bharu.

Pressed further, Annuar said if he is not chosen, he would not lose his temper.

Instead, he will take the opportunity to deliberate on his political future.

"There are many options now. In the past, it was either the government or the opposition.

"But now if you are not in the government, there are other government parties too, like PAS and Bersatu, so there are options," the Umno leader added.

Annuar is among the Umno leaders in favour of the party cooperating with both PAS and Bersatu.

Umno, however, has resolved that it would not work with Bersatu.

Despite the suggestiveness of his words, Annuar denied already getting offers from other parties, saying it was not proper to be wooed while still "wed".

He said any decision he makes on his political future will not be done on a whim and he would first consult his grassroots in Ketereh Umno, as well as those who voted for him.

He also said any announcement BN makes tonight is not final until the Nov 5 nomination day.

Signing ‘pledges’

However, Annuar appeared less calm in a Facebook post on the matter last night.

In the post, he said that BN candidates are being made to sign "certain documents and pledges" in contravention of party rules on the selection of candidates.

There were rumours that those close to caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob were getting axed despite being winnable candidates, he added.

The Vibes yesterday reported that BN candidates were being made to sign a pledge to give Zahid the mandate to form the next cabinet.

This is despite Zahid publicly announcing Ismail Sabri - his subordinate in Umno - as BN's prime minister candidate.

Shahidan reacts

Meanwhile, Shahidan in a post yesterday said it was the "saddest night".

"All BN operations centres in Arau have been closed, and flags have been taken down.

"The first time in history," he added.

Shahidan has been one of the more vocal critics of Zahid.

In April last year, he was sacked as Perlis Umno chief.

Besides Annuar and Shahidan, others rumoured to be passed over as candidates include Noh Omar (Tanjong Karang), Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak) Dr Adham Baba (Tenggara), Halimah Mohamed Sadique (Kota Tinggi), Zahidi Zainul Abidin (Padang Besar), Mohd Salim Sharif (Jempol) Ismail Abdul Muttalib (Maran) and Mastura Mohd Yazid (Kuala Kangsar).

Most of those on the list had served as either a minister or deputy minister under Ismail Sabri.

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