SHAH ALAM: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu has warned party members against bringing racial issues into the party’s fold.
“Racial narrative has been here since I was in school. I learned about this when I was in Standard Six.
“I heard discussions in Mandarin about Lee Kuan Yew (late Singapore prime minister) and Lim Kit Siang allegedly discussing on how to take over Malaysia’s administration (as well as other agendas), which were spread through poison pen letter (prior to the formation of Malaysia).
“They (people who were conversing) didn't know that I could understand the language.
“These days, people use WhatsApp to spread (propaganda),” he said in his winding-up speech while closing the party's national convention here.
Mohamad better known as Mat sabu also urged members to embrace the Rahmatan lil Alamin concept (mercy to all creations), citing the boycott move for products by certain groups as an example that should be avoided.
“In protest against products by non-Muslims, some quarters even came up with Buy Muslim First (BMF) campaign. What is this? Islam teaches us to ‘compete’ in doing good.
“For example, if the Chinese can work hard and open their workshops until late at night, why can’t we do the same? That’s what 'Rahmatan lil Alamin' is about,” said Mohamad who is also the Defence Minister.
In addressing criticism by some delegates against Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, he reminded them that the media was previously used as propaganda tool by Barisan Nasional, which Pakatan harapan government wished to avoid doing so.
“When PH took over, the multimedia and communications minister worked hard to break this mindset. I’m confident that he is working hard to improve things. When we criticise other ministries, it means that others can also criticise us.”
Halfway through his speech, Mat Sabu, who was a former Pas deputy president, reminded Amanah members who were previously in the Islamic party to maintain good relationship with their former peers.
“I agree with (Datuk Seri) Salahuddin (Ayub) and (Datuk) Mahfuz (Omar); we may have left Pas, but we shouldn’t leave our friends there. We should visit them.
“I’m confident that the president of our old party (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang) still loves me.
“We (Amanah) also love them (Pas) but he (Hadi) doesn’t want to love us,” he said, drawing laughter from delegates attending the final day of 4th Amanah National Congress, here.
Mat Sabu also acknowledged grouses raised by some of the delegates in their debate speeches on Saturday and promised to address them, including the lack of funds faced by grassroots, rendering them unable to carry out party programmes effectively.