UNLIKE its partners in ruling Pakatan Harapan and its rivals in the opposition, Amanah has no big names in its Penang chapter leadership – but this is not a liability.

Usually, political parties have at least one or two well-known personalities among its top state leaders to draw public interest and widen support.

The party in control of the state government usually has its state chairman ensconced as the menteri besar or chief minister.

For the parties on the other side, the opposition leader in the state assembly is usually the head of the chief opposition party’s state chapter.

But not so with Penang Amanah, where its top three leaders are relative unknowns as they are not elected representatives and do not hold posts in the Pakatan Harapan state administration.

Before Amanah’s party elections this year, the state chapter was led by Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who is now a party vice-president and the minister in charge of Islamic affairs.

But political analysts as well as the state party leaders themselves see the absence of big names as an advantage and a strength instead of an obstruction to growth.

To Penang Amanah chief Dr Roslan Ahmad, the lack is an opportunity for the state chapter to together as a team rather than relying on one or two individuals to attract support.

To political analysts, Amanah not being part of the administration means that it can offer more vocal and effective checks and balances to the state government.

“Amanah does not count on the strength of certain individuals but on the collective strength of how we can negotiate with our partners,” Roslan told The Malaysian Insight.

“There are no big brothers or little brothers among Pakatan parties in Penang, everyone has equal standing,” said Roslan, a former engineering lecturer.

“Our strength is based on how we deal with other component parties,” he said, adding that Amanah has about 4,000 members in the state.

Amanah’s Penang members are made up of former senior PAS activists, NGO leaders, professionals and academics.

Roslan’s deputy is Mohamed Yusoff Mohamed Noor, a former PAS activist while the vice-chief is paediatrician Dr Zaidi Zakaria.

Only two of the state’s committee members are elected representatives – Permatang Pasir assemblyman Faiz Fadzil and Bayan Lepas rep Azrul Mahathir Aziz.

In comparison, the Penang chapter of DAP is helmed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his deputy is state Housing and Local Government  exco Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Penang Bersatu is helmed by Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki Yahya while Deputy Arts, Culture and Tourism Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik heads Penang PKR.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political scientist Dr Kamarul Zaman Yusoff said the lack of posts in the Penang administration can potentially make Amanah a government watchdog.

“They are not limited or tied to their posts and have more freedom to express their views and voice the concerns of voters, especially on Malay issues,” Kamarul told The Malaysian Insight.

It is important for PH to have within its ranks a trusted voice for Malay community issues when it faces the competitition, Muslim nationalist opposition front Muafakat Nasional, led by Umno and PAS. in GE15.

Another advantage is that instead of being bogged down by their government posts, Penang Amanah leaders could focus on building the party infrastructure and network which are critical during an election, said Kamarul.

“There will be more focus on building up branches and divisions and this could increase support towards Pakatan in the 15th general election.”

Another political analyst Mohd Azizuddin Md Sani said the state leadership line-up is a good mix of young and old political activists and professionals.

“New individuals would be more energetic and carry Amanah’s agenda to get more support in Penang,” said Mohd Azizuddin, who is a UUM senior lecturer.

“It is better if a political party is led by those who are recognisable so that it is easier to pull in support but maybe Amanah members have other considerations such as not choosing leaders based on individual fame but on their ability to get grassroots support.” – December 29, 2019.