Amanah rejects identity politics – Mohamad Sabu

KLANG - Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) opposes any form of discrimination against minorities or the promotion of 'identity politics' by the opposition as it has the potential to divide Malaysians.

Its president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said there was a need to fully reject political approaches that create divisions, particularly those that neglect or endanger Islam.

He expressed concern about claims circulating in mosques and suraus that Islam was under attack, fostering unfounded fears of a Chinese takeover of Malaysia.

"When religious beliefs are extreme (ghuluw), coupled with racial politics that seem to forget the nature of cultural diversity and the ethnic plurality of these nations.

"The country will continue in disarray and conflict in the struggle for political power by adopting patterns and orientations of political identity that are extremely toxic, extreme and stagnant.

"Religion and ethnicity are the two identities that are most easily abused and exploited as capital or political capital, at the same time bringing bad results to the phenomenon and symptoms of takfiri or the easy disbelief of political opponents as non-Islamic or less Islamic than them," he said.

He said this while delivering the Presidential Address in conjunction with the 2023 Amanah National Convention held at a hotel here on Saturday.

Also present were DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke, Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, PKR Information Chief Fahmi Fadzil and Umno Supreme Working Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

Mohamad added with the interplay of various religious, cultural and racial demands, the party was committed to fighting for ideological principles in a progressive and inclusive manner, aligning with the Pakatan Harapan (PH).

"I am confident that Amanah has a future role and great potential to continue to steer the country together with friends in PH and most recently in the unity government with BN.

"Only those who are truly convinced of the importance of maintaining political stability as well as racial and cultural harmony, will take the 'centrist', moderate and progressive path in organizing and advocating their respective ideologies," he said.