Mat Sabu assured that the national body would not interfere in the decisions made by the state-level leadership. While admitting the party was new and only a week old, he appealed to state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who was present, to take care of his leaders and members in the state to put up a good fight against the ruling coalition in the next state polls.
He urged Amanah leaders in Sarawak to collaborate and negotiate with coalition parties (DAP and PKR) in order to fight against Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next state election.
“We give autonomy to Amanah Sarawak. While we do not interfere in your decisions, do work with other parties to face the next election,” he said at the launch of Amanah Sarawak branch at Grand Continental Hotel here yesterday.
Mat Sabu said Amanah “is an inclusive party” despite being Islamic-based. He pointed out that the leadership at Sarawak branch consisted of all races and religions. Chong believed the establishment of Amanah had changed the political landscape of Malaysia.
“In Malaysia, we need the opposition to work together. We cannot work together with PAS because their policy has gone sideways. So we cut ties.
“A lot of Malaysians and Sarawakians see no hope for change because of PAS and now this new hope emerges. I will go all out to help the formation of Amanah in Sarawak. Let’s work together to bring down BN.”
Chong, who is Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, said some political foes had accused DAP of “trying to fool the people again by trying to bring another Islamic party to Sarawak.”
He, however, asserted that Amanah Sarawak “is multi-racial” based on the committee line-up announced at the launch. Chong thus challenged: “Such strong reaction from BN only shows that they are worried we come in one force.” He expressed confidence that Amanah and DAP could work together and march together towards Putrajaya in the next general elections.
Separately, it was reported that PKR Sarawak welcomed Amanah’s leaders to Sarawak and said it would keep an open mind on working with the national and state leaders of the new party.
Its vice chairman See Chee How said it had always been PKR’s stance to work with any political party that subscribed to the common political framework and agenda of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to better serve the people in the country and Sarawak.
“Realistically, the strength and political impact of Amanah in Sarawak has to be nurtured and advanced over time. I do hope for, but cannot expect, immediate impact of Amanah in the coming Sarawak state election, which will be held in a matter of months,” he said when asked to comment on the party yesterday.
See, who is Batu Lintang assemblyman, said being mostly members of PAS, the Amanah leaders must quickly resolve their differences with PAS leadership and work together under a common agenda.
“With PAS’ modest political strength in Sarawak, prior to the formation of Amanah, neither PAS nor Amanah can afford the division or partitioning of their political force particularly at the grassroots level.”
See believed the original PR platform and common agenda which had united the opposition parties and formed a strong alternative alliance against BN and had enjoyed substantial support and blessing of the electorates across the country, was the best option to serve the country and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Fidzuan Zaidi is entrusted with leading Amanah Sarawak following the launch. He will be aided by William Mangor (deputy chairman), Ustaz Othman Mustapha and Mohamad Jolhi (vice chairmen).
Others in the line-up are: Abang Abd Halil Abang Naili (secretary), Jini Saini (treasurer), Nurzaiti Hamdan (Wanita chief), Wan Anizam (Youth chief), Fadillah Sabali, Taib Jariee, Abg Abd Razak Abg Othman, Nani Sahari, Kenny Kenol and Sudirman Henry (committee members).-Borneo Post
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