KOTA BARU: Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa is hoping for support from 150,000 Umno members from 22,000 divisions nationwide in his bid to contest the Umno deputy president's post at the party polls on June 30.
He said the mandate from the members will serve as his impetus for the long and hard struggle ahead.
Annuar said he would not be running away, even with Umno having lost the power to rule the country in the wake of the 14th General Election.
“I am offering myself as a candidate (for the Umno deputy president post) even though the path is full of challenges. This is being done to help the leadership and party president in their bid to rebuild Umno as a platform to fight for Islam, the Bumiputera and Malaysians as a whole.
“Rebuilding the party requires massive change not just on an individual level but more importantly, in terms of policies, organisation, strategy and modus operandi.
“I choose to uphold the spirit of unity, loyalty, service and reject division, disloyalty and idleness,” he said in a statement.
Annuar said he is committed to working with the president and Umno Supreme Council to ensure that change is effected with full commitment in a careful, orderly and wise manner.
“Umno, as the biggest party in Parliament, has to preserve its integrity and become an opposition that is brave, firm and resolute in upholding Islam, the Bumiputera, the sovereignty of the royal institution, the Constitution and the law.
“The spirit and philosophy of Umno will continue to be defended but the approach and practices should be changed. The concept and presence within Barisan Nasional should also be reviewed.”
Annuar said the party is now facing its sternest test after losing power, the first time in its history.
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