Mat Sabu downplays 'boycott' of Sharon Teo, Amanah's sole non-Muslim candidate

 

For the first time, Amanah is fielding a non-Muslim woman as a candidate, with Sharon Teo set to contest the Permas state seat in the Johor state election.

Speaking to reporters, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu dismissed concerns over her candidacy.

"There is no problem (with fielding the candidate), we have settled everything. God willing," Mohamad (above) was quoted as saying by Berita Harian in response to Pasir Gudang Amanah's announcement that it would boycott the candidate.

Earlier, Pasir Gudang Amanah held a press conference declaring its decision to boycott the Pakatan Harapan candidate for Permas.

The division's assistant secretary, Haini Harun, said the move was made unanimously as the division continued to back Pasir Gudang Amanah chief Syed Othman Abdullah as its preferred candidate, arguing that he was more deserving based on his leadership and service in the constituency.

He said the division had repeatedly raised objections to the possibility of an outsider being selected, but had received no response.

Sharon Teo

According to Haini, fielding a candidate unfamiliar to the grassroots machinery would make it difficult for the party to mobilise its campaign effectively within a short period.

"Therefore, we have decided to boycott the candidate and will not assist in her campaign. However, we will not obstruct or undermine campaign machinery from outside the area," he said.

Sending a message

Johor Amanah had previously announced Teo as its candidate for Permas, making her the party's only non-Malay and non-Muslim candidate in the state election.

Teo, who previously served as Johor Amanah assistant secretary and Johor Warda (party’s women's wing) chief, said her candidacy sends a message that Amanah is a multiracial party.

"Amanah is a multiracial party for everyone. We uphold the concept of 'rahmatan lil alamin' (mercy for all creation)," said Teo, who acknowledged that she was mentored by the late former Amanah deputy president, Salahuddin Ayub.

In the last election, BN’s Baharudin Taib won the Permas seat in a crowded field, securing 23,492 votes. - Mkini