Let me make this declaration first. I do not know Mohamad Sabu personally. So do not think I’m defending the Amanah president here because he is a personal friend.
Yes, I’ve seen Mat Sabu, as the man is fondly called, many times – in the corridors of Parliament, at election rallies, and during the protest years of electoral watchdog Bersih.
But I have yet to strike up a one-to-one conversation with him; don’t know why but that never happens. (Okay, the next time I see him in Parliament, I will make an effort to get up close and personal with him.)
However, that does not mean I cannot form an opinion of him, even now, since he is a well-known politician and leads a component party of Pakatan Harapan.
For a man in his position, what Mat Sabu thinks, what he does, and how he carries himself publicly matter. When his detractors criticise him, I believe I know where they are coming from.
Like all public figures, Mat Sabu is not beyond reproach, especially now that he is a minister too. He heads the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, a portfolio which I think is more up his alley than his 22-month stint in the Defence Ministry after the 14th general election in 2018.
All elected public officials, ministers in particular, can expect to be criticised, rightly or wrongly. They must always bear in mind that constructive criticism can contribute to healthy political discourse and help improve leadership and governance.
It’s particularly essential to engage in thoughtful and fair discussions when evaluating the performance of political leaders.
I have my own views of the performance of ministers over the past 10 months and I honestly feel several heads must roll. However, Mat Sabu is not one of them.
In this context, I disagree with MCA spokesperson Mike Chong’s assessment when he named Mat Sabu as one of three ministers who should be removed in a rumoured cabinet reshuffle for supposedly underperforming or courting controversy.
Chong took aim at Mohamad for shortages of food items under his watch.
Everyone is free to express his opinion, Chong included. Being the MCA spokesperson, I understand it is Chong’s duty to keep an eye on cabinet members and to tick them off if they are found wanting.
However, in the case of food shortages and sharp price hikes in daily essentials, it would not be fair to blame the minister alone.
All senior officers in the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry should shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that everything is in order and that the people’s needs are attended to.
Let me send this message to Chong and the MCA. The subject of food shortages and price hikes are important issues. I believe the minister would be most happy to hear proposals and solutions to the problems from the MCA, too.
Since MCA-BN is part of the coalition government, it’s best for all partners and allies to collaborate in resolving teething problems faced by the rakyat rather than throwing punches and asking ministers to resign.
I’m not sure if an MCA minister at the helm of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry today could do better. As a matter of fact, what I’m more concerned with ministerial appointments is that only clean, honest, and incorruptible candidates are appointed.
I believe it’s not far off for me to say that Mat Sabu and all the ministers and deputy ministers from Amanah are forthright and trustworthy politicians. I don’t think there are millionaires or known crooks among them.
Previous MCA ministers had it so good for decades under BN rule. It would be foolhardy for anyone to expect all of them to be squeaky clean as some retired enormously wealthy.
However, I think current MCA president Wee Ka Siong is a well-meaning leader who is trying his utmost to reverse the party’s fortunes at a very difficult time.
Wee’s past ministerial performance has also been credible, in my view, and I hope Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will find a suitable position for the MCA president in the Madani government. Let’s give Wee his due credit.
Back to Mat Sabu, I have to say I like the man. I always have a soft spot for him. It’s not as if the man and the politician can do no wrong.
The minister is human too, with his failings and weaknesses. But if I believe that he will not steal and abuse his power, he will have my unequivocal support. I have thought the same of Anwar and I truly believe that our prime minister will not steal.
I can recall that in 2019, I defended Mat Sabu after he was ticked off for his poor English when he was the defence minister.
What I wrote about my faith in him four years ago, I will repeat:
“Mat Sabu has my utmost respect. His poor English aside, he is a no-nonsense politician, honest and humble. I don’t think he is egotistical in any way, even as a minister. He is still the same Mat Sabu, as those close to him will tell you.
“I have yet to hear anyone saying anything negative about the Amanah president. The most important thing is that ministers must not be corrupt or abuse their power. If Mat Sabu is able to stay clear on that, what is poor English?”
His actions - moving on the straight path, staying away from the temptations of dirty dealings, and making the right calls - are more important.
I will continue to judge Mat Sabu on that, certainly not on his poor English, the food shortages, or the price hikes. - Mkini
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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