AMANAH’s Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has been proposed as an ideal candidate for the party’s deputy president post in the party’s polls this weekend.
According to an FMT report, an Amanah leader, who spoke to the news portal on condition of anonymity said Dr Dzulkefly, who is the party’s strategy director, had initially rejected the idea to contest for the number two post.
However, the Kuala Selangor MP’s recent appointment as Health Minister has led to certain factions within the party calling for him to run for the post.
The source further revealed that the PAS splinter party is currently divided into two camps, with one supporting party president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and the other backing vice president Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
Dr Dzulkefly’s ability to navigate without posing a threat to either camp could be regarded as a unifying or stabilising factor within Amanah, the source noted, adding that Dr Dzulkefly currently does not belong to either camp.
“He is also a figure that’s well liked by everyone in the party and, as the newly appointed health minister, he is perfectly suited for the role (of Amanah deputy president),” the source told the news portal.
Meanwhile, another party source said the party’s inner conflict would intensify should Mujahid, or fellow vice-president Adly Zahari, who is part of Mohamad’s camp, were to win the deputy president’s post.
The insider went on to note that if Mujahid becomes the deputy president, with Mohamad leading the party as president, the chances of them not being on the same page about the party’s direction would persist.
“If that happens, Amanah will face a very long three years under the new leadership without a clear direction,” the source reckoned, adding that Dr Dzulkefly represented a middle ground forward for the party.
Amid rumours of internal conflict within the party, recall that earlier this month Mujahid had refuted claims that there was a split in the party, amid rumours of a leadership change during the Amanah National Convention, scheduled for December 23-24.
Malay Mail reported him saying that the issue of factions did not arise as the position of the five leaders, including the president, would be determined by consensus among the 27 National Leadership Committee members, to be chosen by representatives.
He said the issue of factions did not arise, as the positions of the top five leaders, including the president, would be determined by consensus among the 27 National Leadership Committee members, to be chosen by representatives.0
“There is no issue of factions, because these 27 selected members will decide who is eligible to be the president. So, there’s nothing unusual about appointing the president from among those 27 individuals, based on merit,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Amanah Perak Convention on Dec 10.
On Dec 5, media reports claimed that a senior Amanah leader had acknowledged the existence of certain groups orchestrating a movement to replace Mohamad as president, with a new leadership led by Mujahid in the upcoming party election.
Amanah Youth chief Mohd Hasbie Muda acknowledged the presence of two factions among party supporters, actively pressing for a decision on whether Mohamad should be replaced and appointed as an advisor to Amanah or continue leading the party for at least another term.
Amanah’s deputy president position has been vacant since the death of incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub in July. – Dec 22, 2023
Main pic credit: NST
