'My relationship with Mat Sabu is strong' - Mujahid

SHAH ALAM - The voting method based on the 'syura' system introduced by the Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) in its party election process does not allow any of its leaders to campaign for top positions.

Therefore, Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof denied the claims that he was campaigning to take over the party presidency from the incumbent Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

Mujahid said the top five positions in Amanah including the president were not open for contest and it will be determined by the votes of over 1,000 party representatives attending the party's National Convention on Dec 23 and 24 in Klang.

Therefore, the senator said there was no issue of faction or group within Amanah as suggested by various parties.

"The decision on who will fill the positions of president, vice-president and three deputy presidents lies in the hands of the 27 committee members who receive the highest votes from representatives, along with the three wing leaders of the party," he told Sinar Premium.

He said this in response to a statement by Amanah Youth chief Mohd Hasbie Muda who confirmed the existence of two groups within the party that either wanted Mohamad to resign or continue as president for at least another term.

However, Hasbie was uncertain whether Mohamad or Mujahid actually led these two groups, or if it was just the grassroots movements.

Hasbie also claimed that internal voices demanded that Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, step down as president and be appointed as an advisor to Amanah.

Commenting further, Mujahid revealed that his relationship with Mat Sabu, whether personally or at the party level, was going strong.

As evidence, the former minister in the prime minister's department (Religious Affairs) said Mat Sabu entrusted him to lead the party's Human Resources Committee, a crucial committee in determining the direction and struggle of Amanah in the future.

"Recently, the president (Mat Sabu) launched the Amanah Leadership Academy in Morib, Selangor and was pleased with our efforts to fulfill his vision of seeing almost 200,000 members truly understanding the party's struggle.

"So, in the context of cooperation within the party, I have always synergised with him and we have been struggling together since the Pas days.

"However, regarding discussions on filling top party positions, we have never discussed such matters. I think he would agree that this issue should be left to the discretion of the 30 new committee members who will to be elected later," he said.

Mujahid also dismissed speculations that his name was being mentioned as a possible candidate for the position of Education Minister in the Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expected to be done soon.

"That speculation is not true. I don't have any ministerial position. My focus is to ensure the continued strength of the Madani Government and Amanah. That is the primary focus," he said.