An Umno leader has praised the party’s nemesis Anwar Ibrahim, for the latter’s stand on race, religion and the royalty.
Party secretary-general Annuar Musa, continuing the Umno claim that the new government is sidelining Islam, the Malays and the royal institution, urged Anwar to “save Malaysia”, parroting Pakatan Harapan’s pre-election call.
“Anwar’s interview with Utusan Malaysia was really great. The ideals of his struggle were still fresh, as in the 80s and 90s,” Annuar wrote on Facebook last night.
He said this was particularly true for the PKR president’s stand on Islam, the Malays and the royal institution.
“Unfortunately his idealism was blocked when he tried to challenge or was seen to challenge (former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the latter’s first term).
“It was the same during (former premiers) Pak Lah (Abdullah Badawi and Najib Razak.
He said he prayed this time Anwar would succeed.
“The country needs him now. Islam, the Malays and the royal institution have been greatly compromised because of weak leadership and a position that depended too much on others,” he claimed, without being specific.
He warned “they” would pay a heavy price if this was allowed to continue.
“Please save Malaysia….” he wrote.
Umno’s battle cry since their humiliating defeat in the May 9 general election to Pakatan Harapan has seen the Malay party ramping up claims that the new government is sidelining the three pillars of their struggle.
Among others, the call rode on the appointments of non-Muslims to the posts of chief justice, attorney-general and the de facto law minister, as well as Harapan’s promise to recognise the UEC.
It was amplified during a one thousand-strong rally in Kuala Lumpur to call for the ummah (Muslim community) to rise and was the key message in the Sungai Kandis by-election, which Umno subsequently lost, despite implicit support from PAS. – Malaysiakini