Mat Sabu survives pressure to go

DATUK Seri Mohamad Sabu did not lose his sense of humour despite the tremendous pressure leading to his re-election as Amanah president.

The first thing he said as he began his closing speech after last weekend’s convention was, “I am No 8,” drawing applause and laughs from the party delegates.

Mat Sabu, as he is known to all and sundry, knew his career was on the line as the mood for Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa to take over as president bubbled to the surface in the run-up to the party election.

But Mat Sabu made it to eighth place in the 27-person central committee elected by the delegates. Amanah’s indirect election system sees delegates electing the central committee which then meets to elect the key office-bearers from among themselves.

That was how the irrepressible Mat Sabu, despite being No 8 in the line-up, was returned for a third and final term as president.

Everything fell into place, with the committee also reaching a consensus for Mujahid, who came in at No 4, to be the new deputy president.

It was what one might describe as a civil and mature political transition.

Everyone on the committee, said communications chief Khalid Samad, was encouraged to give their views and there was agreement that the party needed a breath of fresh air.

“Having Mujahid as deputy president is a signal of the renewal that our members want to see and to strengthen the party. There was no power struggle as reported and we wanted the succession to be smooth,” said Khalid.

The three vice-presidents are Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud and Adly Zahari.

It has been a remarkable comeback for Dzulkefly who came in at No 1. He had been one foot in retirement when he was pressed to defend the Kuala Selangor seat in the general election. Now he has both feet back in action after the big win and also after his appointment as Health Minister.

Siti Mariah secured the most votes among the women candidates.

Adly who is only 52 and Deputy Defence Minister, came in at No 7. Adly’s place among the vice-presidents signals the party’s commitment to the grooming process given that “remajakan parti” (rejuvenating the party) was the theme of those pressing for a leadership change.

Meanwhile Khalid who came in at No 2 was only one vote behind Dzulkefly. Khalid secured 899 votes to Dzulkefly’s 900 votes.

Asked about the secret to his popularity, Khalid claimed: “I have no idea”.

But he joked that had he voted for himself - which he apparently didn’t - he would have emerged on par with Dzulkefly with 900 votes.

Khalid has always been a crowd favourite. The former Shah Alam MP was No 1 in the previous party election.

The reason, said an Amanah insider, is because he is famous for speaking his mind and for taking bold stands.

“He has an independent reputation and people like that. They see him as a genuine voice of Amanah. He is president material but he is not interested,” said the insider.

Khalid is also believed to have carried his protege Azli Yusof who was visibly shocked to come in at No 3 in his maiden election attempt.

Azli, who worked as an engineer with an international firm, is the current Shah Alam MP and he might be the one to watch in the coming years.

Khalid does not deny that he argued in favour of a third term for Mat Sabu.

“He has not done too badly, he made the right political decision to support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in forming the unity government that brought us to where we are today,” said Khalid.

There were complaints that Mat Sabu’s lack of academic credentials holds back the party. He was expelled from ITM because of his student activism and was twice arrested under ISA.

At the same time, his down-to-earth style appeals to the common folk.

“He listens to advice and is open to criticism. He is intelligent although he did not complete his studies,” said Khalid.

But is Mat Sabu in danger of being a lame duck president with Mujahid on the doorstep of the presidency?

Muhajid, whose late father was a former PAS president, was a former religious affairs minister.

The pressure is now on Mujahid, who lost in the general election and who has no government post, to shine and show that he deserves to lead Amanah when Mat Sabu calls it a day.

> The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own