Amanah leader: Move to name Adly not to fortify Mat Sabu’s position

An Amanah leader has denied claims that nominating Adly Zahari as a ministerial candidate is to fortify party president Mohamad Sabu’s influence in the party ahead of its internal polls this December.

According to Amanah central committee member Faiz Fadzil, matters pertaining to the selection of any leader for a position in the government would be decided through party meetings.

In fact, Faiz said a special committee was also formed for that purpose.

“Naming (influential local NGO Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia) or any NGO urging the president is baseless because (it is) external propaganda to divide the party. Amanah is a party that has the strongest unity among its leaders.

“The information is incorrect. We have no camp and the president has shown excellent performance all this time,” he said when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

Faiz (above), who is also a former Permatang Pasir assemblyperson, said this when asked to comment on a report that Mohamad wants to strengthen his position as president ahead of the party polls.

‘No specific camp’

Earlier, Malaysiakini quoted several sources claiming that the proposal to elevate Adly, who is the party’s vice-president and deputy defence minister, as the domestic trade and cost of living minister – to replace the late Salahuddin Ayub – was one of the schemes to achieve that goal.

The sources alleged that Mohamad’s position as the party’s head honcho is shaky, and he could be challenged for the position in the polls.

According to the sources, disgruntlement against Mohamad is especially prevalent among the grassroots.

Therefore, comes Mohamad’s move to elevate his ally Adly to a ministerial position, said the sources.

They also claimed that Adly could be made deputy president if Mohamad managed to defend his position as party president.

According to another source, Mohamad could face a challenge from Mujahid Yusof Rawa for the top post, who is in an opposing camp within the party.

Mujahid is also currently a vice-president of the party, and he previously served as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

According to a source, Ikram is the machinery behind Mujahid gunning for the top post.

Meanwhile, Faiz said Mohamad’s position is strong because the latter has the support of party leadership.

“He has never excluded any leaders. Mat Sabu (Mohamad) has continued the political thinking of the late Fadzil Noor (former PAS president) by calling on every Amanah member to wear Amanah shirts and not any other movements.

“Thus, there is no specific camp that exists in the party and our cooperation is good enough,” he said.

Amanah will have its party elections on Dec 23 and 24.

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