KHAIRY Jamaluddin said he will quit the government if the Umno Supreme Council withdraws from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration amidst talk earlier today that the lynchpin Barisan Nasional (BN) party wanted its lawmakers to quit the coalition by February.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said as the ultimate decision-making body, it is up to the Umno Supreme Council to decide on whether to remain with the government.

“As a party member, I am bound by the decision of the party.

“If the Supreme Council decides and instructs Umno members to withdraw (from the government), then, of course, as a Umno member, I am bound to follow their decision,” he added.

He was responding to questions on talks of the party pulling out from PN as soon as in February.

The party’s Supreme Council will meet tomorrow.

Commenting on the removal of Annuar Musa as BN secretary-general,  Khairy said that is the prerogative and discretion of the coalition’s chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Umno sources have indicated that Annuar was dismissed because the leadership decided his views were not in sync with those of the coalition’s lynchpin party, Umno.

According to sources, Zahid informed the Federal Territories minister of the decision today.

“He was sacked today,” a source told The Malaysian Insight on the condition of anonymity, while another source said Annuar has not been toeing party lines, siding with the Bersatu-led PN coalition instead of the party.

Last week, the Pasir Puteh Umno division called for Annuar’s removal after alleging he has not shown Zahid the appropriate respect, while pre-empting party decisions.

The motion was proposed by Pasir Puteh Umno Youth chief Muhammad Saifullah Ali at a delegates’ meeting on Saturday.

 Ahmad Maslan has replaced Annuar as BN secretary-general.

He also added that as per the decision of the Supreme Council, there is no co-operation with DAP or PKR. – January 5, 2021.