UMNO to be more wary on issues raised by foreign countries - Annuar Musa

He said the commitment to the Islamic world, neutrality towards the major powers, close ties with China and Russia, as well as the strong stand in supporting Palestine and rejecting Israel were among the reasons this country was being watched by certain nations.

"They wait for an opportunity to intervene. Especially with the latest development involving the power struggle in the South China Sea," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, in tackling the latest episode concerning the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) which now involves the United States, Annuar said it must be studied from all angles.

"We have to look at the 'big picture' from all angles so that we are not hasty and trapped in the deliberate efforts to 'find fault' with the ulterior motive to develop negative perception and prejudice," he said.

He said UMNO would never belittle the need to uphold the people's trust, justice, the constitution and to give priority to the supremacy of the law.

"We realise that 1MDB is a government-owned company and thus it must be accountable to the people and must be subjected to all the existing regulations and law.

"Furthermore, the allegation that 1MDB funds had 'disappeared' or were 'stolen' is very serious. So, it has been and is still being investigated according to the law. Is the allegation true that 1MDB funds have disappeared. How much and who has 'stolen' it? ... will be investigated," he said.

Annuar said if the allegation was true, the government would fulfill its promise to take stern action on whoever were involved according to the legal process.

He said the 1MDB issue, which had become a legal matter, should not be politicised and as such, everyone must be patient so that the legal process would proceed without hindrance.

Meanwhile, Annuar said UMNO was also aware of the existence of a conspiracy led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to topple the prime minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"We also fully understand the capability, experience and wisdom of Dr Mahathir in any conspiracy to defeat his political enemies.

"The vengeance following the fall of his son, Mukhriz (Datuk Seri Mukhriz) from a senior position in UMNO, is too deep, resulting in Dr Mahathir being prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve his objective," he said.

In this regard, Annuar said UMNO and its leadership line-up must be wary so as not to be trapped in Dr Mahathir's grand design to seize power in UMNO and the government in whatever way, even in an undemocratic manner or involving foreign powers.