Annuar Musa: BN merely acting as balancer for stability of country

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa has defended BN's move to topple Pakatan Harapan government by cooperating with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several ruling parties.

In a series of tweets today, Annuar (photo) said BN was merely acting as a balancer for the stability of the country when Pakatan Harapan has collapsed.

"It is Harapan that has a problem. It is Harapan that has failed and torn apart. The opposition prioritises the interest of the people. The country should be safe and stable while the leadership focuses on working with the people," he said.

"We set aside the sentiment. We reach out as a balancer for the sake of stability," he said.

He dismissed criticism that the opposition will form a backdoor government and took the "arrogance" of Harapan leaders to task for the possible collapse of the current government.

Yesterday, Azmin Ali's faction in PKR, BN, PAS, Bersatu, Warisan and GPS went to see the Yang di-Pertuan Agong purportedly on the formation of a new government led by Mahathir.

However, there is no official announcement on the matter yet.

"When your formula failed, then there is neither front door nor backdoor (government). We have a choice to burn it or to reach out to build a new one," said Annuar.

"We should think about what is best for the people. The leaders want to remain as arrogant and fight or we want to stabilise (the situation), work for the people and later return it to the people," added Annuar, who is the Ketereh MP.

"All of these were caused by the arrogant and greed in Harapan. Don't blame others," he said.

"Remember, not only those in the government enjoyed the mandate of the people. Not Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang, Mohamad Sabu, Khalid Samad and Anwar Ibrahim only. We in the opposition have the mandate also.

"The government is (formed by) mixed parties...it is not entirely (belongs) to any party," he said.

Annuar argued that the MPs represent the people and that the government which loses the support will lose legitimacy.

He was responding to Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming, who questioned the legitimacy of the possible formation of a new government.

Nga tweeted that the backdoor government without the mandate of the people is a betrayal to the country and the people will punish it.

Amanah minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa also tweeted that the mandate of the people can only be changed in the general election instead of a meeting at Sheraton PJ.

"You are still very much in denial," retorted Annuar.

"When Harapan collapsed, the opposition can take the opportunity. (We can) either force an election to take place or take (our) chances to control everything.

"However, it is not yet the time to trouble the people with the poll. This is the time (for us) to work," he said.

Annuar said the prime minister needed the support to carry out his duty.

"The Harapan ministers spoke about the mandate. But have they given the mandate to the premier? They just slammed, insulted and backstabbed him.

"Nah, we are now giving the mandate (to Mahathir) and help him to continue his work to fix the country, including to rectify the damage done by you in the past two years, be it in the economy and religious (aspects)," he said.

He then urged the relevant parties to brief the media about the latest political scenario to prevent the spread of fake news.