Annuar told not to be a liability
Published on: Tuesday, January 03, 2017
PETALING JAYA: The recent war of words between Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and Umno Information Chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa took another twist when the Johor Crown Prince warned that the latter could be a liability to Umno.Tunku Ismail, who is also owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), and Annuar, former Kelantan FA (Kafa) president, have been exchanging words in recent months over the current state of the country's football, and the management of their respective clubs.Unimpressed by Annuar's statements, Tunku Ismail said his words and actions could potentially harm Umno, with Johor being a fortress of the party.
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"The state of Johor is also the stronghold of the ruling party today. The day for people to cast their votes is edging closer, so don't stir up a hornet's nest because there will be consequences."Tan Sri, don't be a liability to your own party. You clearly have your own interest within the party," he wrote in a Facebook post on the Johor Southern Tigers titled "Mind Your Own Business".Tunku Ismail said while he was aware that it was Annuar who turned Kafa's fortune around since taking over in 2007 (including leading the club to a treble in 2012), he stressed the need for the latter to also be responsible for the team's failures and problems faced today.Kafa had, last month, said that it would withdraw from the Malaysia Super League next season due to financial constraints, and has set Jan 6, pending sponsorship deals, as the date it would decide whether or not to withdraw from the tournament.
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"You shouldn't be a captain who abandons his ship at the first sight of trouble. As you've barely managed to run Kafa properly, it's better that you forget about leading Malaysian football," he said, referring to the possibility of Annuar running for the FA of Malaysia president's post.Tunku Ismail also defended JDT's policy of signing players and paying their wages, amid criticism by Annuar that it was destroying the Malaysian football market by over-paying for players and salaries.
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The saga surrounding Kelantan has also attracted the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak who has called for the predicament to be resolved amicably and for Annuar to continue assisting Kafa.When contacted, Annuar replied: "Strictly football and no politics."The war of words between the two began last month when Annuar urged Tunku Ismail to decide if he wanted to become the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president and not lead FAM by proxy.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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