Speaking to FMT, PPBM Supreme Council member Tariq Ismail questioned the Ketereh MP’s singling out of Langkawi when he said God would decide on more by-elections being held after the Sungai Kandis and Balakong by-elections.
The MP for Langkawi is Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Annuar, the former Umno information chief, has been critical of the 93-year-old, particularly in the run-up to the 14th general election.
“Why mention Langkawi? What is he insinuating? Why not concentrate on the Sungai Kandis polls instead of bringing up something that’s open to interpretation. It’s not polite to single out anyone,” said Tariq.
“We shouldn’t wish for by-elections because it means something dramatic has happened. Sungai Kandis and Balakong are having by-elections because of tragic circumstances. We don’t say we want a by-election in Pekan or Bagan Datuk.”
Former prime minister Najib Razak is MP for Pekan while opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is Bagan Datuk MP.
Tariq said in the case of by-elections, the focus of politicians should be on what their respective parties could offer to the people. For Pakatan Harapan, he said it would be delivering on their promises so far. Umno, he suggested, should focus on being a good opposition.
“There is no need to talk nonsense. Annuar should have more substance in his speech.”
On Monday, Annuar predicted that the Sungai Kandis and Balakong by-elections, triggered by the deaths of their incumbents, won’t be the last.
“Do you know why we have by-elections? Because God decides so. He wants to test Selangor. The campaigning for the Sungai Kandis by-election isn’t over, and we have another by-election in Balakong.
“I believe after this, God will decide on more by-elections, I don’t know where, Langkawi or where else,” Annuar said at the BN Command Centre in Sungai Kandis.
Tariq said he wasn’t surprised with Annuar’s remarks because Umno wasn’t known for being polite and its leaders were not known for “thinking” before speaking.
Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu said life and death were in God’s hands and no man could predict God’s will.
Commenting on Annuar’s remarks, Faizal said those who said such things should repent and apologise to the person at whom the remarks were aimed.
“I pray that anyone who has uttered such words receives guidance from God,” added the Perak PPBM chairman.