Be 'cautious' when criticising PAS, Hanipa reminds Amanah leaders

 

A former Amanah MP has reminded party leaders to exercise caution when voicing criticism of PAS, notably if it lacks meaningful content.

Specifically, former Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin responded to Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil’s remarks earlier today on the tussle between PAS and Bersatu.

“Faiz claimed ‘PAS appears strong only within its own party, but fails to lead a coalition, let alone to put forward a prime ministerial candidate’.

“⁠Perhaps it was a fair and reasonable comment. But PAS may retort ‘How about Amanah?’,” said Hanipa (above).

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“It seems Amanah - in PAS’ view- appears fragile on all fronts and even worse within its own party.

“PAS may also ask that in the recent cabinet reshuffle, ‘Did Amanah manage to convince Anwar for any leader in the party to hold any ministerial post?’,” said the former deputy minister in the prime minister’s department.

Last December, Amanah Youth committee member Ahmad Azri Abdullah suggested that Anwar should have named an MP from the Harapan component party as the new deputy religious affairs minister, instead of activist Marhamah Rosli, who was sworn in as a senator.

The line-up also retained Amanah president Mohamad Sabu as agriculture and food security minister, vice-president Dzulkefly Ahmad as health minister, vice-president Adly Zahari as deputy defence minister, and Amanah Women’s chief Aiman Athirah Sabu as deputy housing and local government minister.

Not just to counter PAS

Commenting further, Hanipa said, “Anyway, are the new MPs from Amanah, with the greatest respect, even known to the public?”

“In my view, Amanah should be serious in becoming a champion of issues of national interest that require serious and profound deliberation.

“Amanah should never be seen as if it is only needed to counter PAS. Not more than that,” he stressed.

In the 15th general election, Amanah contested 54 seats on a Harapan ticket and won eight, with the current backbenchers comprising Hulu Langat MP Sany Hamzan, Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof, Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan, and Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat, who retained the seat in a by-election called following the death of former incumbent, Salahuddin Ayub.

“As of now, many people seem to think that Amanah leaders are only needed to come out with a statement criticising PAS. Period.

“And such a statement is needed to convince the people that the party still exists and is relevant even though some people tend to perceive Amanah as nothing more than a footnote in an academic journal,” said Hanipa.

“Truth be told, I hope that was the wrong perception,” he added.

Earlier today, Faiz had mocked PAS’ perceived inability to name a replacement for the PN chairperson position vacated by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

He also likened the situation to a reality TV programme where viewers wait week after week to find out who would be eliminated, whereas, under normal circumstances, a party president would act as a coalition leader and subsequently be named as the prime minister candidate. - Mkini