Umno Supreme Council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the former minister might be running out of ideas on how to garner Malay support in the Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6.

“Perhaps he said that (because) he has hit a dead end outside of Umno,” Jazlan told FMT.

Another Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said Annuar should not waste time as achieving ummah unity through political parties was unrealistic.

“Annuar doesn’t need to waste time, especially since there are politicians like him who are willing to stab their own parties for their political survival,” said Puad.

“It’s clear that Malay unity through political parties is unrealistic because everyone is chasing after power. PAS continues to politicise religion, while Bersatu has hidden intentions to replace Umno.”

The duo were responding to Annuar’s statement yesterday that true unity would exist only when PAS, Bersatu, and Umno reunite to champion the struggle of race, religion, and country rather than individuals.

Annuar, who was expelled from Umno in December 2022, said he had never been discouraged from strengthening Malay political unity and revitalising Muafakat Nasional (MN).

The original MN was a short-lived political alliance between PAS and Umno, which ended in December 2022. Subsequently, MN the NGO was formed, with Annuar as its chairman.

Currently, Umno is part of the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim alongside Pakatan Harapan component parties, while PAS remains in the opposition bloc with Bersatu under Perikatan Nasional.