ANNUAR Musa has offered himself as a candidate for Umno’s deputy presidency to “reengineer” the party as a platform for the Muslim and bumiputera struggle.

He said he was the most senior person still in the party’s leadership, and would not withdraw from contesting the post, as he wanted to help bring about necessary changes, after the party’s defeat in the 14th general election last month.

“A reengineering must involve major changes, not only to individuals but also to the party’s policies, organisation, strategy, and modus operandi.

“I am willing to work with the president and Supreme Council to ensure that these changes are carried out with full commitment, care, order, and wisdom,” he said in a statement.

Annuar, who retained the Ketereh parliamentary seat in the election that saw Barisan Nasional defeated by Pakatan Harapan, said Umno’s spirit and philosophy would continue to be defended, while its approaches and practices would be changed.

“The concept and participation of Umno in BN should be reviewed. The principle of racial consensus needs to be renewed. The way forward should be pragmatic and examine the various options to achieve the ideals of defending the religion, race, and homeland.

“Most importantly, this can be achieved by wisely getting the members’ collective mandate,” he said.

Annuar said that he had been a division chief for 31 years, a member of the Supreme Council for 28 years, and helped rebuild Umno from the rubble of the 1987 power struggle between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

He said the party leadership’s doors and windows should be opened wide to young people who would pursue the party’s struggle.

Besides Annuar, Negeri Sembilan Umno liaison committee chairman Mohamad Hasan, who was the state menteri besar before the general election, has also announced his candidacy for the post. – Bernama, June 20, 2018.