Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu is a “fighting cock that has lost its spurs” when he was not fielded in either the upcoming Sungai Besar or Kuala Kangsar by-election, claims an Umno assemblyperson.

Umno Online quoted Dengkil assemblyperson Shahrum Mohd Sharif as saying that Amanah is afraid to field its own president who has yet to win in any election.

“Previously, Amanah is so vocal about winning but now why is it fielding a different candidate? Is it trying to cover up (potential) embarassment if its president contested and lost?

“There is still time for Amanah to rethink its candidate and prove that Mat Sabu is truly eligible to be its president,” Shahrum reportedly said.

He also claimed that Mat Sabu himself only dared to show off his bravery on the ceramah stages, but not to contest as an election candidate.

“The Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections would be the best platform for Mat Sabu to prove his worthiness as a leader, what more when he would be facing off with the candidate from PAS, his former party,” Shahrum added.

Amanah has fielded local businessman Azhar Abdul Shukur as its candidate in Sungai Besar and nuclear physicist Termizi Ramli in Kuala Kangsar.

Both candidates also hold positions in Amanah state and division level.

The Sungai Besar seat has so far seen Azhar going up against Umno Sungai Panjang assemblyperson Budiman Mohd Zohdi and PAS’ Meru assemblyperson Dr Abdul Rani Osman.

In Kuala Kangsar, Termizi will be facing Umno’s Mastura Yazid and PAS’ Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad, amidst speculations of at least one other Independent candidate joining in the contest.

Nominations will be held this Sunday while polling has been set for June 18.