Key takeaways from Amanah AGM

AMANAH AGM | Amanah today concluded its fourth national convention, which saw the party's first-ever elections since its formation five years ago and the retaining of Mohamad Sabu as party president for the 2019-2022 term.

Its convention coincided with those of PKR and Umno. Despite being the smallest of the three parties, Amanah appeared more focused on national issues.

Like the PKR and Umno gatherings, there was discontent but unlike PKR and Umno, they were more about how Pakatan Harapan and Amanah performed in the government rather than factionalism.

Umno had sought to project a united front behind its leadership but there were hints of factionalism as some delegates attacked Umno MPs who have been in communication with PKR vice president Azmin Ali while the PKR congress itself degenerated into a factional drama between Azmin's faction and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's faction.

Despite the critical messages from the Amanah delegates, they chose to retain the status quo for the top leadership during the convention, which coincides with the party election.

Mohamad and Salahuddin Ayub were returned as Amanah president and deputy president respectively while Mahfuz Omar, Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Hasanuddin Mohd Yunos were all retained as vice presidents.

While the delegates have not lost faith in their leaders, they had no qualms roasting them over their performance in the government.

They put forward no holds barred criticisms and took aim at not only Harapan component ministers, but also their own leaders.

Among others, they warned Amanah will suffer the wrath of voters unless their leaders speak up against policies deemed to be unpopular - top of the list, the targeted fuel subsidy scheme scheduled to start in January next year.

Other unpopular measures raised include those under the purview of agencies held by Amanah leaders and ministers, among others, to reduce financial aids for farmers and fishermen.

On the same note, Pahang delegate Mohamad Fadzli Mohd Ramly claimed that a purported focus on "unneeded changes" had sparked an unnecessary backlash against the government.

Amanah central committee leaders in their winding-up speeches today took stock of the criticisms, acknowledging the convention felt like one by an opposition party.

Party communications director Khalid Samad said those not familiar with the party might be led into thinking the delegates are against the Harapan government.

He admitted there were weaknesses in the party's communication channels, and pledged to improve the process.

This message of openness to criticisms was also reiterated by other Amanah top leaders, including vice-presidents Mahfuz Omar and Mujahid Yusof Rawa, as well as Mohamad (below) himself.

At the same time, they reminded party members to be mindful of Amanah's current position in government, with Deputy Entrepreneur Development Minister Dr Hatta Ramli saying he would have to answer for a delegate's stinging rebuke of the “flying car” project announced by Entrepreneur Development Minister Redzuan Yusof.

The leaders also acknowledged criticisms from delegates that the Harapan government has been weak in communicating its policies to the people.

Mohamad in his speech had underscored a need to better publicise Harapan's successes, and this was taken up by party leaders who, in their winding-up speeches, also took the opportunity to highlight their personal successes as ministers.

In terms of issues, Amanah central committee member Mazlan Aliman said the party should take a stand against rumoured attempts by a tycoon to take over shares in Felda Global Ventures.

He said the failure to do so would risk Amanah being branded as a "traitor" by Felda settlers who supported the party on grounds of their struggle to protect their rights.

During the convention, delegates also warned party leaders about political appointments by Amanah ministers, including for positions as political secretaries and in government-linked agencies.

Former Amanah Wanita chief Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud received a standing ovation for her fiery speech, with a stern reminder against one person holding multiple political appointments.

While she did not name names, Salahuddin had previously come under fire for several political appointments in National Farmers Association (Nafas).

Newly elected Youth chief Hasnul Zulkarnain Abdul Munaim similarly ticked off several political secretaries for allegedly failing to reach out to voters in constituencies held by their bosses.

In the overall, the delegates made it abundantly clear that while they have not abandoned the current crop of leaders, they want the leadership to buck up, not only in terms of performance but also in communication. - Mkini