PETALING JAYA: Accused of dancing to the enemy's tune, Tan Sri Annuar Musa has clapped back at Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying that he has never changed his political stance of standing up for the right thing.

       "I was never a fanatic (devoted) to any individual or group. I support what's right and if it's wrong, I'll say it's wrong, call a spade a spade," the Ketereh MP said in a Facebook post on Sunday (April 24) afternoon.

       ALSO READ: ‘PASleak’ not unusual, no need to play up issue, says Annuar Musa

       Annuar said his stance remained one of moderation and unity, and added that in politics, it was easy to gain popularity by stoking certain sentiments.

       "However, playing with sentiments will not get us anywhere. In fact, it might burn us.

       "Therefore, we should not be arrogant and full of ourselves," added the Communications and Multimedia Minister.

       Annuar also reiterated his support for the Muafakat Nasional charter between Umno and PAS.

       ALSO READ: Still room for Umno, PAS cooperation through Muafakat, says Annuar Musa

       He claimed that the charter was betrayed by other political moves being made behind the scenes.

       "(My) appetite is still inclined towards the unity of Malay political parties. However, it seems as though prejudices are being played up again.

       "We cannot move together because personal agendas have superseded party interests," he said.

       In a Facebook post on Saturday (April 23), Ahmad Zahid accused Annuar of not toeing the party line on many occasions.

       ALSO READ: Let everyone judge 'intelligence report' for themselves, says Zahid

       "When cunning enemies outside the party are trying to deceive the opposing party using various tactics and strategies, we as party men, from ordinary members to party division leaders, need to be more prudent.

       "We should not act like enemies in the same party and dance to the Opposition's beat.

       "Once or twice, statements against the party's policy can be considered a coincidence. But, several times? That is no longer a coincidence," said Ahmad Zahid.

       The Bagan Datuk MP also said the recent leak of an intelligence report allegedly authored by PAS was a serious matter to Umno.

       Annuar had deemed the leak as nothing unusual, saying it was merely notes by PAS leaders in establishing the views of other political party leaders.

       ALSO READ: ‘PASleak’ is a serious matter, says Ahmad Zahid

       Annuar had said that if the document, dubbed "PASleak", proved to be true and its content could be considered a plan to take down Umno, it was also not unusual because it is common for every party contesting in an election to bring down an opponent.

       The report allegedly written by the PAS Central Committee contained findings supposedly made by secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar in five separate meetings with top leaders.

       It contained allegations of a plot against Umno and interference in court cases involving senior politicians, among other sensitive claims.

       ALSO READ: Ahmad Samsuri denies involvement in plot to topple BN

       While PAS leaders have dismissed the alleged report as "trash", the party's ties with Umno were believed to be strained as top Umno leaders have continued to raise questions on the document.

       The Muafakat charter was signed between Umno and PAS in 2018.

       However, ties between the two parties became strained after PAS joined Perikatan Nasional as an official coalition member in August 2020.

       PAS and Umno also clashed in many seats in the Melaka state election in November and the Johor state election in March.