The possibility of a new political force, or a Third Force if one prefers to call it, is most interesting to Malaysians in the next general election.
A DAP-Amanah political tag-team as a Third Force cannot be taken lightly as it comprises Amanah as a moderate Islamist party, a splinter of PAS, and the multi-racial though Chinese-dominated party.
A DAP-Amanah political tag-team as a Third Force cannot be taken lightly as it comprises Amanah as a moderate Islamist party, a splinter of PAS, and the multi-racial though Chinese-dominated party.
As already being witnessed now, Malaysian Chinese have already warmed up to Amanah like it did to PAS in the 13th General Election (GE13).
This was clearly displayed in the June twin by-elections in Sungai Besar (Selangor) and Kuala Kangsar (Perak).
The newly founded Amanah did relatively well in the by-elections, even beating the seasoned PAS in Sungai Besar.
And it was achieved with very strong help from DAP. If you study past election results, almost all new political parties and Independents would lose their deposits in electoral battles.
But that did not happen to Amanah, clearly showing that it is accepted by a significant percentage of Malaysians. Given time, Amanah is expected to draw the support of Malays.
Basically, the DAP-Amanah friendship and trust dates back to the two party leaders who shared the same “prison” when they were detained under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) between 1987 and 1989 under the Dr Mahathir Mohamad regime.
While in Kamunting, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu (Mat Sabu) were able to share their personal and political views, thereby forging a clear understanding between two politicians.
The political bond of Lim and Mat Sabu is therefore built on a solid foundation of understanding and trust forged over 29 years or nearly three decades.
What has led to speculations of this possible political realignment? (Read this for context: http://victorlim2016.blogspot.my/2016/09/1mdb-pm-najib-proving-to-be-more-master.html).
And that was fast followed by this Free Malaysia Today (FMT) report coming from Penang, a state administered by the DAP-led Pakatan Harapan with Lim as Chief Minister:
"Mujahid: Amanah going strong in Penang
Robin Augustin
| September 23, 2016
More than half of its new members have no prior political affiliation and 10 per cent are non-Muslims.
PETALING JAYA: Despite being just one year old, Parti Amanah Negara is already making impressive inroads in its membership drive in Penang, according to its chief official in the state, Mujahid Yusof Rawa.Mujahid told FMT the party had been particularly successful in drawing people with no previous political affiliation.
“Many people think that Amanah members are former PAS members who followed their leaders out of the party,” he said. “Actually, former PAS members account for a mere 20 per cent of our members in Penang.”
He claimed that about 5,000 people had signed up as Amanah members in Penang and that 10 per cent of those were non-Muslims and 30 per cent were former Umno members.
About half of the new members were previously not affiliated with any political organisation, he added.
“We are delighted to see that so many of our members include those who had not joined any party before as it shows they subscribe to Amanah’s principles.”
He said it was possible that those who had no previous political affiliation believed in the Amanah leaders when they were part of PAS, but were hesitant to join the Islamist party.
“Perhaps they relate to moderates, but not PAS’ principles. They could have been fearful of political extremes but see a middle path in Amanah.” He said this might also have been the case with the former Umno members.
In the long run, he said, Penang Amanah was aiming to have some 20,000 members in the state but the current focus was on strengthening its presence in the state constituencies of Sungai Dua, Permatang Berangan, Penaga and Bayan Lepas.
“These are the constituencies which PAS lost in GE13 to the BN. Amanah has been appointed to represent the state government there and help coordinate the state government’s efforts and initiatives in the areas.”
Mujahid said Penang Amanah would strive to improve inter-racial and inter-religious relations in the state once it became firmly established.
“We will do this by spearheading programmes and dialogues to enhance better understanding between the people,” he said. “We’ll work with the various religious groups and NGOs.”
And here are two flashback reports for readers to have a more detailed understanding of what makes DAP and Amanah tick politically and three video clips of Lim and Mat Sabu:
https://youtu.be/gykC43DKceA (Lim Guan Eng on Mat Sabu)
https://youtu.be/73ZaDHFdyVg (Lim Guan Eng and Mat Sabu on their friendship and bond forged during their detention in Kamunting under the ISA)
https://youtu.be/l4UcJuSxIjA (Lim Guan Eng and Mat Sabu on Karpal Singh)
"Mat Sabu: Guan Eng’s arrest shows country run by mafia
Predeep Nambiar
| July 1, 2016
Amanah President says arrest of Penang chief minister a rerun of persecution episode from almost two decades ago.
GEORGE TOWN: Following Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s arrest for corruption, Amanah President Mohamed Sabu is convinced that Malaysia is run by the “mafia”.
Mohamed, who is also known as Mat Sabu, said Lim’s arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was a “rerun of a familiar plot”.
In an emotional speech outside the Penang MACC office at Northam Road late last night, Mat Sabu said what was happening to the DAP secretary-general was similar to the persecution that had occurred in 1998.
“He defended a Malay girl who was raped, and he ended up in jail,” he said, alluding to the time when Lim was imprisoned after commenting on the rape of a minor.
“This is Malaysia today, ladies and gentlemen, ruled by the mafia,” Mat Sabu told a group of 500 protestors who held a vigil outside the anti-graft body’s headquarters. - FMT"
Predeep Nambiar
| July 1, 2016
Amanah President says arrest of Penang chief minister a rerun of persecution episode from almost two decades ago.
GEORGE TOWN: Following Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s arrest for corruption, Amanah President Mohamed Sabu is convinced that Malaysia is run by the “mafia”.Mohamed, who is also known as Mat Sabu, said Lim’s arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was a “rerun of a familiar plot”.
In an emotional speech outside the Penang MACC office at Northam Road late last night, Mat Sabu said what was happening to the DAP secretary-general was similar to the persecution that had occurred in 1998.
“He defended a Malay girl who was raped, and he ended up in jail,” he said, alluding to the time when Lim was imprisoned after commenting on the rape of a minor.
“This is Malaysia today, ladies and gentlemen, ruled by the mafia,” Mat Sabu told a group of 500 protestors who held a vigil outside the anti-graft body’s headquarters. - FMT"
"Nation
Home > News > Nation
Friday, 10 June 2016
Bid to form new Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu says Islamic law is to bring happiness and prosperity to mankind, reports Sin Chew Daily.
He said Amanah’s stance is that Islamic law would solve all human problems.
Amanah, DAP and PKR are working together as Pakatan Harapan now.
Before this, Amanah was part of PAS and its ultimate aim was to implement PAS’ hudud.
Mat Sabu stressed that Amanah would not allow others to influence its religious mission.
“We will continue to work with our friends in Pakatan Harapan (DAP and PKR) so that we will have the ability to present Islamic ideals to everyone and work towards a new Malaysia,” he pledged.
Mat Sabu said Islamic law must be promo ted and discussed before it could be implemented.
This, he added, was to ensure that no one was misled by its implementation. - The Star online"
Home > News > Nation
Friday, 10 June 2016
Bid to form new Malaysia
 |
| New partners: File picture of Mat Sabu (left) with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng greeting the people during a Hari Raya open house in Kepala Batas last year. |
He said Amanah’s stance is that Islamic law would solve all human problems.
Amanah, DAP and PKR are working together as Pakatan Harapan now.
Before this, Amanah was part of PAS and its ultimate aim was to implement PAS’ hudud.
Mat Sabu stressed that Amanah would not allow others to influence its religious mission.
“We will continue to work with our friends in Pakatan Harapan (DAP and PKR) so that we will have the ability to present Islamic ideals to everyone and work towards a new Malaysia,” he pledged.
Mat Sabu said Islamic law must be promo ted and discussed before it could be implemented.
This, he added, was to ensure that no one was misled by its implementation. - The Star online"
No comments:
Post a Comment