AMANAH president Mohamad Sabu wants Adly Zahari to be the party’s representative in the cabinet to strengthen his own position in the party, Malaysiakini reported today.

Quoting sources, the news portal said Mohamad’s position as party president was shaky and could possibly face a tough challenge in the party election in December.

Therefore, Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, wanted Adly, who is close to the president, to be in the cabinet and become the party’s deputy president, said the sources.

Adly is widely tipped to fill up the cabinet vacancy left by the late domestic trade and cost of living minister Salahuddin Ayub, who died on July 23.

“Adly could be made deputy president if Mat Sabu manages to defend his position as president,” a source was quoted as saying.

“So choosing Adly to replace Salahuddin in the cabinet is Mat Sabu’s strategy to fortify his position ahead of the party polls.”

Adly is currently Amanah’s vice-president and deputy defence minister. The former Malacca chief minister won the Alor Gajah parliamentary seat in last year’s general election.

Another source was also quoted as saying that Mohamad, who is also the agriculture and food security minister, had decided on his own to nominate Adly as a minister.

“The president named Adly without the matter being discussed in a party meeting. Several states (grassroots) have already started moving against the president,” said the source.

“The president’s contingency now is that it is better to present Adly as a ‘sanctioned’ successor, instead of losing everything. However, not everyone is in favour of such an arrangement.

Malaysiakini also reported that Mohamad could face a challenge for the president’s post from Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who is said to be from the opposing camp within the party.

Mujahid is also currently a vice-president of the party, and he previously served as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Amanah will hold its polls on December 23 and 24.

According to the party’s constitution, a person can only serve three consecutive terms as president. If Mohamad retains his position, this would be his final term to lead the party. – September 26, 2023.