DESPITE his snub from Barisan Nasional’s (BN) list of candidates for the 15th General Election, former Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa said he has rejected offers from other parties including Perikatan Nasional (PN) to defend his seat.
According to Annuar, he knew that the PN candidate, Bersatu’s Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor, had yet to receive his official appointment letter despite having been announced as the coalition’s candidate for the Ketereh seat.
“Khlir is my friend so why would I stand in his way? I have told my friends and the parties that wanted me to join them not to fight each other. It’s enough that UMNO members are fighting over me. I don’t want to cause trouble to anyone,” he told reporters after witnessing the presentation of appointment letters to Kelantan BN candidates earlier today (Nov 4).
Annuar further stressed that he had decided to stay loyal to UMNO.
“Some people say there is still time to spring a surprise. For me, it’s a matter of principle. I cannot join other parties. This is not because I hate them, but it’s just my principle,” he remarked.
Annuar, who is also the Ketereh UMNO division leader, also pledged to do his best to help the Ketereh candidate, Kelantan Puteri UMNO chief Marzuani Ardila Ariffin, win the seat.
“Her late father was a supporter of mine, and her mother is still supporting me. Sometimes, when she cooked a meal, she would even send some to my house,” he pointed out.
“These people had given me their undivided support and had sacrificed a lot for me, so it’s time for me to return the favour.”
In the 14th General Election, Annuar beat his challengers from PKR and PAS by a 4,626-vote majority to clinch the Ketereh Parliamentary seat.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 5 for nomination, Nov 15 for early voting and Nov 19 for polling day. – Nov 4, 2022
