Opposition ‘shouldn’t query govt’s handling of murder’

Umno Information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa took a swipe at the opposition for questioning the government’s handling of Kim Jong-nam’s murder and its diplomatic ties with North Korea.

Annuar questioned whether the opposition leaders were concerned that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s approval ratings were improving following the latter’s firm stand in handling the issues.

“It seems to me that they are worried that the way the prime minister is handling this matter is getting a favourable response from the people.

“Their concern is not really surprising because whatever is good news for the government is bad news for the opposition,” he said after opening the Jerlun Umno Division Veteran annual general meeting at Kampung Tanjung in Padang Sera here yesterday, as he concluded his two-day roadshow in Kedah.

Annuar said it made no sense for the government to try and score political points in handling the murder investigation as it was the responsibility of the government to uphold the country’s rule of law and sovereignty.

“The government’s stand on this matter is clear.

“We want to make sure that the investigation is completed according to standard procedures, since the crime was committed on our soil.

“We have the responsibility to do justice to the family of the deceased, but that does not mean that we want to sever our diplomatic ties with them (North Korea).

“They (the opposition) have no locus standi to tell the government what to do on this matter.”

He was commenting on the statements by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Pas member of parliament Datuk Mahfuz Omar, who had said the strained Malaysia-North Korea relationship should not be used to score political points.

Annuar urged all quarters to put aside political differences as the matter involved the nation’s interest and sovereignty.