Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa has claimed that Malaysia needs Anwar Ibrahim's leadership at this juncture.

In a Facebook posting last night, the Ketereh MP also praised the Pakatan Harapan de facto leader for his stand on issues of race, religion, and royalty.

Accusing the Harapan government of sidelining these issues, the Ketereh MP parroted the coalition's pre-election clarion call in urging the PKR president to “Save Malaysia”.

Commenting on Anwar's interview with Utusan Malaysia, which he described as astounding, Annuar said the ideals of his struggle are still fresh as in the 80s and 90s.

He said this was particularly true with regard to Anwar's stand on Islam, the Malays and the royal institution.

“Unfortunately his idealism was blocked when he tried to challenge or was seen to challenge (the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the latter's first term).

“It was the same during (former prime ministers) Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib (Abdul) Razak," he added in a Facebook posting.

The Umno leader said he is praying that Anwar would succeed this time.

“The country needs him now.

“Islam, the Malays and the royal institution have been greatly compromised because of weak leadership and a position that depends too much on others,” he claimed without elaborating.

Annuar warned “they” would pay a heavy price if this was allowed to continue. “Please save Malaysia....” he wrote.

Since BN's defeat in the May 9 general election, Umno has ramped up claims that the new government is sidelining the three pillars of its struggle.

Among others, the focus was on the appointments of non-Muslims to the posts of chief justice, attorney-general and the de facto law minister, as well as Harapan’s promise to recognise the UEC.

It was amplified during a 1,000-strong rally in Kuala Lumpur to call for the ummah (Muslim community) to rise, and was the key message in the Sungai Kandis by-election, which Umno subsequently lost, despite implicit support from PAS.