FORMER Ketereh lawmaker Annuar Musa has expressed interest in joining PAS, Takiyuddin Hassan said.

The PAS secretary-general said further discussions will be held soon.

“Annuar recently expressed interest in joining PAS. We have indeed received many requests from former Umno leaders wanting to join Perikatan Nasional (PN),” Takiyuddin, who is also a PN Supreme Council member, was quoted as saying by Malay daily Berita Harian.

“We will follow up with further discussions. All of them (former Umno leaders), we are in the process of coordinating the admission,” the Kota Bharu MP said.

Annuar, a former federal territories minister, who was sacked by Umno, previously denied that he had retired from politics and claimed that he would be more active instead.

The Muafakat Nasional president, however, remained mum about the party he would be joining, insisting that he would choose a “good-minded” party.

The confirmation by Takiyuddin puts to rest the speculation on Annuar’s next move.

It was not revealed if Annuar would contest in the state elections.

Takiyuddin also said almost 20 former Umno leaders would be joining PN, with the figure including Annuar.

“They can join any party in PN, let it be Bersatu or PAS. We have no objection,” he said.

On former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, who was also sacked by Umno, Takiyuddin said the former health minister had not given any specific response about his commitment to the coalition.

“He (Khairy) said he would be with us, but did not state specifically. He also said he would not be with Umno and Pakatan Harapan,” he said.

“Therefore, we expect him to be with us.”

Yesterday, former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar, who was also sacked by the party earlier this year, has confirmed that he would contest a state seat as a PN candidate. – May 1, 2023.