ALOR STAR: Amanah vice president Datuk Mahfuz Omar vows to champion the party's resistance against 'hardline' religious political movements following his reappointment as the party's vice president for the 2023-2026 term.
Mahfuz, who is also Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairman, warned that hardline religious politics poses a new and growing threat to the nation's peace and unity, replacing that of communism.
"For me, hardline politics is a very dangerous form of politics. It is a new threat after the communist era-politics. It is politics that exploits the religion.
"This is highly dangerous. So, we must guide and purify Malaysians from hardline politics and promote politics of unity. This is Amanah's mission," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Hence, Mahfuz said Amanah is committed to strengthening cooperation among unity government parties to fend off hardline politics.
"The strengthening of unity within our own party, within Pakatan Harapan and within the unity government itself, in collaboration with Umno and Barisan Nasional, is Amanah's primary agenda not only in Kedah but also nationwide.
"We need this unity to prevent Malaysian politics from being consumed by hardline politics," he added.
Commenting on his reappointment, Mahfuz said it came as pleasant surprise as he couldn't attend the party's polls on Dec 23.
"I was in Mecca performing the Umrah during the party's polls. I am very grateful to the party president (Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu) and all 27 central leadership committee (JKP) members, who unanimously agreed to reappoint me as the vice-president," he added.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz said the appointment of states Amanah chairmen will be made in the upcoming JKP meeting.
On Sunday, it was reported that Mahfuz and former Amanah secretary-general Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli were appointed as party vice presidents for the 2023-2026 term.
Amanah secretary-general Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the appointments had received unanimous support at the party's JKP meeting on Sunday.