KUALA LUMPUR: Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa has announced his intention to contest the party’s No. 2 post later this month.
“Taking into account the current situation in the party, and after discussing things with senior party leaders at both national and state levels, I have... decided to announce that I will be offering myself as a candidate for deputy president at the party polls on June 30. I leave it all to Allah.
“May all go smoothly... I will always defend my loyalty to the party, in order to champion the religion, race and nation,” he said in a statement.
The statement came as a surprise as Annuar had earlier said in Kota Baru that he would only make an announcement next week on whether he would be contesting the party polls.
The Ketereh member of parliament had said he was currently focusing on facilitating the party polls in Kelantan, adding that he would meet with grassroots members in the state before making any decision.
“I will complete my work first... because it will only take me five minutes to sign up (for the party election) online. When the time comes, I will make the announcement,” he had told the New Straits Times Press.
Annuar described this year's party polls as "extraordinary", saying more than 100 young and professional Umno leaders, eager to revive the party following its poor performance in the 14th General Election, have thrown their hats into the ring so far.
“This is a positive development because at first, I thought no one would step up to the plate as Umno has lost power. But the opposite has happened.
“I urge more people to run for the election because all posts will be up for grabs. I hope the polls will run smoothly without negative elements like money politics,” he said, adding that Umno should return to its original ideologies.
“Don't sow the seeds of improper practices because Umno must change 100 per cent.”