Amanah leaders free to air views but must toe party line

 

Mohamad Sabu said the views of individuals do not represent Amanah unless an official decision was reached in a meeting.

PETALING JAYA: Amanah leaders have the right to voice their opinions as enshrined under the Federal Constitution, but they are still subject to the party’s decision, says Mohamad Sabu.

In a statement, the Amanah president said this was the “normal practice” in any political organisation.

“In an organisational context, the views of individuals do not represent the organisation or party unless an official decision is reached at a meeting,” he said.

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His remarks came in the wake of a war of words between Umno and Amanah leaders regarding Najib Razak’s bid for a royal pardon.

Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, added that the power to decide on Najib’s pardon rested with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Thus, all sides should respect the outcome.

He said that even though Amanah and Umno leaders were at odds over Najib’s pardon, this would not lead to division among the parties within the unity government.

“All those who have voiced their views on this issue did so because they hold the unity government dear to them.”

He said the government had been given the duty to focus on serving the people.

Yesterday, Kelantan Umno demanded that Amanah’s communications director Khalid Samad issue a public apology to the party for calling for Najib’s pardon application to be rejected.

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The chapter’s information chief Zawawi Othman said Kelantan Umno would consider not working with Amanah in the upcoming state polls should Khalid, who is also interim Kelantan Amanah chairman, refuse to retract his statement.

In response, Khalid said there was no need for him to apologise or retract any statement as he was only conveying the party’s stance on the matter.

He also said he was confident that Umno understood its priorities and would not halt cooperation with Amanah in the state elections.

Earlier today, Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi lambasted Amanah for the party’s refusal to retract its call for Najib’s pardon application to be rejected.

He accused Amanah of questioning the Agong’s wisdom and discretion, saying that this is why it was difficult for Umno to forge close ties with them. - FMT