Annuar Musa among 10 former Umno leaders applied to join Pas, says Takiyuddin

KOTA BHARU - Former Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa is among over 10 former Umno leaders who have submitted application forms to join Pas.

Perikatan Nasional deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has also expressed interest in joining Bersatu.

He said the party will announce the names of political figures who recently joined PAS by the end of May.

"I can confirm that several big names in politics had submitted their application forms. We are currently waiting the appropriate time to make an announcement. It may take place by the end of this month."

"I can confirm that Tan Sri Annuar Musa has filled out the form to join Pas and we will make an announcement about other former Umno leaders joining the party soon," he told reporters at a Raya Celebration Ceremony, here, today.

Takiyuddin further said that all former Umno leaders involved will be considered for suitable positions if they express their intention to contest in the upcoming state election.

Commenting on the use of the word Allah, the Perikatan Nasional chief whip said he plans to introduce a motion during the next Parliament session to address this matter.

He said the issue involving the word Allah should be brought to Syariah Court because the Civil Court has no jurisdiction over the issue.

He said Pas and PN were shocked and considered withdrawal of the appeal unreasonable.

On Sunday, it was reported that the Malaysian government and the Home Ministry withdrew their appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision which ruled that Christians can use the word 'Allah' and three other Arabic words - 'Baitullah', 'Kaabah' and 'solat' in the publication of religious materials for educational purposes.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court made the decision on March 10, 2021 after allowing a judicial review application filed by a Sarawakian Christian woman named Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill who requested a declaration of her constitutional rights to use the word Allah.

The notice of withdrawal from the judicial review appeal was made by the Attorney-General Chambers' (AG) at the Court of Appeal Registrar's Office in Putrajaya on April 18. - AWANI