I was willing to take on a lesser role, says Amanah president

AMANAH AGM | After coming in seventh in the party's first-ever polls, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said he was prepared to let go of the president's post that he had held since Amanah was formed five years ago.

"I was willing to take on a lower position, but they wanted to retain me," Mohamad Sabu told a press conference today after the second day of the Amanah National Convention in Shah Alam.

He was flanked by Amanah Communications director Khalid Samad and two out of three Amanah vice-presidents, Salahuddin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar.

"We chose to retain him (Mohamad). All of us agreed to retain him as president because he is experienced and has successfully led the party," said Mahfuz.

Khalid, who polled first among 27 leaders elected by 822 delegates last night, also concurred that a unanimous decision was made to reappoint Mohamad Sabu as president and maintain a status quo in the top leadership.

"It's a long journey. We want to maintain the current leadership so that there will be continuity and effectiveness," said Khalid. 

"We do not want to change in the middle of the road. There have been no problems in the leadership." 

Khalid added that the issue of Mohamad's ranking among delegates should not arise, as 681 votes from 822 delegates represented more than 70 per cent support.

He further explained that Amanah delegates voted for a central committee who had subsequently met and decided among themselves with regards to positions to be held.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa was reappointed as vice-president. Two other vice-presidents and the full line-up will be decided at a later date.

Meanwhile, Mohamad reiterated that Amanah will continue to be the glue which holds Pakatan Harapan together.

"Matters raised by the delegates today will be brought to the Harapan meeting so that it will gain the attention of the leadership," he said.

Earlier, in debating Mohamad's policy speech, Pahang delegate Mohamad Fadzli Mohd Ramly urged Amanah leaders to help diffuse the strain among its coalition partners.

"I urge Amanah to remain as the stabilising force in Harapan. Amanah must be the strongest glue to help our coalition partners to diffuse the tension in their party," said Fadzli, who alluded to rumblings within PKR which eventually manifested into a street brawl during its Youth wing congress in Malacca.

The Amanah convention ends tomorrow with winding-up speeches by its top leaders. - Mkini