INTERVIEW PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu says Pakatan Rakyat will be stronger if he retains his post in the upcoming June party elections.

 

“After the party elections, we will see a stronger Pakatan with me, as well as my comrades, around.

 

“If not, I would not offer myself (to retain the post). It’s because I am confident Pakatan will be stronger with people like me,” he told Malaysiakini in a recent interview.

 

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, was asked whether the outcome of the PAS elections would result in the downfall or rise of Pakatan.

 

To this, he said: “The party elections this time around will see the rise of Pakatan.”

 

Mat Sabu said he was confident PAS members would elect those who will defend PAS’ policies as well as those who want to see it remaining in Pakatan.

 

Asked on his chances of winning the number two spot again, he said: “I am 100 percent confident”.

 

Mat Sabu has previously come under fire for being at odds with party president Abdul Hadi Awang during the Selangor menteri besar imbroglio .

 

During the crisis, Mat Sabu had described Abdul Hadi's endorsement of then Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as a "personal view" prompting party criticism of him (Mat Sabu) being disloyal.

 

Since the incident, Mat Sabu's support appears to have plummeted with most PAS divisions nominating current PAS vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man to replace him.

 

Chinese support decreasing

 

Despite this, Mat Sabu announced last week that he will be defending his post as the party's number two.

 

Expanding on his agenda, he said if chosen again, he will continue to defend the party while working to popularise PAS further amongst non-Muslims.

 

“I will continue spreading PAS’ influence among students, NGOs and the non-Muslims,” he said.

 

On Selangor, Mat Sabu said without unity between the various races, the continuation of a Pakatan-ruled state would not be possible.

 

He also said he was fortunate to have enjoyed the hospitability provided by non-Muslims at their many functions he was invited to.

 

“Sometimes, the audience is 100 percent non-Malays and they still invited me. Such relationships must be continued,” he enthused.

 

Nevertheless, he admitted support from the Chinese community has decreased slightly as shown by the recent by-elections in Permatang Pauh and Teluk Intan.

 

He, however, believes the phenomenon will only be temporary.

 

“This is because the rakyat can no longer tolerate the rampant corruption under the BN regime,” he said.

 

On advice he would give other PAS leaders to increase their popularity among non-Muslims, the charismatic Mat Sabu said it was the commitment they displayed.

 

Down-to-earth nature a plus

 

“Regardless of whether you are a Muslim or non-Muslim, one seeks for the truth, for sincerity […] it’s human nature.

 

“Maybe the non-Muslims, especially the Chinese, could see that during and after my tenure as MP I have been committed in my fight against corruption and injustice.

 

“My fight is regardless of race,” he said, citing how he stood up for justice in the case of the late Teoh Beng Hock.

 

Mat Sabu is definitely regarded as one of the most popular PAS leaders among the non-Muslims.

 

A natural in reducing an audience to stitches, his down-to-earth nature is warmly welcomed at campaign trail ceramah.

 

He may indeed fulfil his role in becoming the strongest bridge between the Islamist party and the non-Muslim community, note observers.

 

Part 1: Mat Sabu: We will snap BN if snap polls called