AMANAH’s annual convention later this month may result in a major leadership change as the party adjusts to a new, challenging political landscape, following the surge in electoral fortunes of Islamist party PAS in what has been dubbed the “green wave”.
Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, popularly known as Mat Sabu, may feel compelled to make way for a new leader after eight years at the helm.
There is likely to be a call for the veteran to make way for a younger leader to lead the party, which splintered from PAS.
Mohamad, 69, has been active in Malaysian politics since becoming PAS Youth head in 1986. Prior to Amanah’s formation in 2015, he was PAS deputy president.
Before PAS’ brash Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor rose to national prominence, there was Mohamad, who had more of a “pull factor” than Sanusi.
In the past decade, Mohamad has mellowed in line with his positions. He has held two ministerial portfolios – defence from 2018 to 2020 and agriculture and food security since November last year.
Speculation continues to heighten about his future. This was especially so after Amanah’s communications czar Khalid Abdul Samad said Mohamad had been party president for the past eight years, and if the latter wanted someone else to take over, it would be up to him.
Battling the PAS rhetoric
Others shared Khalid’s sentiment.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Prof Datuk Sivamurugan Pandian said Amanah must show the party does not revolve around Mohamad, and that it has a plan to counter PAS.
After all, Amanah was supposed to be a rival of PAS, but in recent years the latter has won over the Malay-Muslim electorate in a far more impressive fashion.
PAS holds the most seats in parliament – 43 – whereas Amanah only has eight.
As part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, Amanah has two ministers in Mohamad and Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who was appointed health minister this week.
However, the party was thrashed by PAS in the battlegrounds of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perak.
Sivamurugan said Amanah must reflect on how it can win over ideology-driven PAS supporters and Malay fence-sitters.
Some pundits said Amanah has to compete with PAS on social media and in religious institutions if it wants to survive into the next decade.
“Eventually, Amanah must show how its different branding of Islamist politics is better than PAS’,” Sivamurugan said. “It must strive to show moderation is a better bet to take the country forward rather than hard-line policies.”
He said Amanah must shore up support for Umno, which is also struggling.
Contenders in party polls
The annual party convention, to be held on December 23 and 24 in Klang, will see polls for 27 positions, with 124 candidates set to contest.
Interestingly, among those who have submitted their nomination forms were Mohamad, vice-presidents Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof and Adly Zahari, and the party’s strategy director Dzulkefly.
This was announced by Amanah election committee chairman Zulqarnain Lukman yesterday.
Zulqarnain said around 1,100 delegates would choose the speaker, deputy speaker and auditors.
The party will have a new deputy president as incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub died earlier this year from a brain haemorrhage.
Those touted to play a major role in the party are Mujahid, Adly, Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus, Datuk Mahfuz Omar and Siti Mariah Mahmud.
Dark horses such as Dzulkefly may feature prominently for the new positions.
There is also former youth wing head Mohd Sany Hamzan, who is Hulu Langat MP – an outspoken leader.
Penang Amanah chief Muhammed Faiz Fadzil, who is the eldest son of late PAS president Datuk Fadzil Noor, previously espoused the need for the party to be aggressive in countering the slanders of PAS.
Unique electoral system
Mahfuz agreed with Faiz but said being aggressive in fighting PAS is not just Amanah’s job, but everyone in PH and the unity government.
Faiz could not overcome the “green wave” in the last general election, and lost his Permatang Pasir state seat.
Mahfuz on the other hand apologised as he cannot attend the convention. He will be performing the umrah with his family.
“I leave it to the delegates to decide if I should continue to play a role in the party. I am comfortable serving in any capacity,” the former Pokok Sena MP said.
Mujahid said the party has a unique electoral system by virtue of its constitution.
The party elects 27 members into its central committee, which will decide who holds the top positions.
He, too, saw a need for Amanah to adapt to the politics of extremism, slander and non-tolerance, which PAS has been accused of preaching.
Sivamurugan admitted Amanah was struggling against the “green wave”, and the party could do with a change of strategy to regain support.
He said former leaders, such as Kelantan-based Husam Musa, should consider returning to the party to rejuvenate Amanah in Kelantan and Terengganu.
“Every leader has his or her following. They can be assets,” he said. – The Vibes, December 16, 2023.
