Annuar Musa replaced because he's a burden to the party - Nazri Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR: Senior UMNO leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz has defended the decision to replace Tan Sri Annuar Musa as Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general.

According to him, Annuar’s dismissal was not done arbitrarily, instead because he has become a burden to the party, especially UMNO, with his actions.

"UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has received feedback from the grassroots, most of whom are dissatisfied with Annuar, who has issued statements against the leadership," Nazri said as reported by The Vibes portal.

He also explained that the Ketereh Member of Parliament should not have made statements that offended UMNO members.

“He is seen attacking UMNO more than other parties. Annuar should do his job and not issue unnecessary statements; that is not his job.

"He has become a burden to UMNO," he added.

Nazri, who was dropped from the same post in March 2019, advised Annuar to accept the decision and help the party face the next general election.

"I was also dismissed, what's the problem? Just relax. We need to accept it, there is no need to be angry because in the end the party is more important.

"The position is a responsibility given to us, not something to be proud of. We need to carry out our duties," said the Padang Rengas Member of Parliament.

Nazri was replaced by Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor as secretary-general after the BN component parties, MCA and MIC claimed that his appointment in September 2018 was not in accordance with the coalition’s constitution.

This comes after Nazri repeatedly attacked the MCA and made a statement that was considered insensitive to the UMNO ally, which included calls for the closure of vernacular schools.