KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Former senior Umno leader Tan Sri Annuar Musa today confirmed he had sent in his application form to be a member of PAS several months ago, but said he is still waiting for the Islamist party’s decision.

Annuar, who is a former secretary-general of the ruling party Umno, claimed that over 1,000 individuals had applied to join the federal opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) component party PAS.

"Not just 10 people but more than 1,000 are together with me on this. We are only now waiting (for a decision) from the PAS leadership.

"I confirm that I have applied (to join) PAS, it is up to PAS to accept me or not,” he was quoted saying by news portal Malaysiakini.

Annuar reportedly said he decided to apply to be a PAS member after deeply examining the country’s political scenario and the situation within Umno, believing that PAS would be the right choice for him to continue efforts to unify the Malay-Muslim community.

Annuar, who chairs the non-governmental organisation Muafakat Nasional, denied that his move to join PAS was because he wanted to be nominated to contest in the state elections which must be held this year.

"As a party member, to be selected to contest is not our right. When we become a member of a party we have to relax. Don’t set the goal of becoming a candidate.

"If the party chooses and it is destined to be like that... take responsibility. Even if you don’t become a candidate, continue the struggle,” he was quoted saying by Malaysiakini.

Annuar was sacked by Umno last December and was today reported saying he did not seek to join Umno — which he said was totally broken — again.

On May 18, PN deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan claimed that at least 10 ex-Umno leaders would be entering the Opposition coalition, naming Annuar as one of them.

Takiyuddin was reported saying an announcement is expected at the end of this month about these new PN members.