Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu (Jawi: محمد بن سابو), born in 14 October 1954 commonly known as Mat Sabu, is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in the Unity Government administration under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since November 2022 and Minister of Defence in the PH administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020. He has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Raja since May 2018, Kuala Kedah from November 1999 to March 2004, Kubang Kerian from April 1995 to November 1999 and Nilam Puri from October 1990 to April 1995. He is a member of the National Trust Party (AMANAH), a component party of the PH coalition. He has also served as the 1st and founding President of AMANAH since September 2015.
Mohamad Sabu | |
|---|---|
| محمد سابو | |
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| Minister of Agriculture and Food Security | |
| Assumed office 3 December 2022 | |
| Monarchs | Abdullah (2022–2024) Ibrahim Iskandar (since 2024) |
| Prime Minister | Anwar Ibrahim |
| Deputy | Chan Foong Hin (2022–2023) Arthur Joseph Kurup (since 2023) |
| Preceded by | Ronald Kiandee (Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries) |
| Constituency | Kota Raja |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 21 May 2018 – 24 February 2020 | |
| Monarchs | Muhammad V (2018–2019) Abdullah (2019–2020) |
| Prime Minister | Mahathir Mohamad |
| Deputy | Liew Chin Tong |
| Preceded by | Hishammuddin Hussein |
| Succeeded by | Ismail Sabri Yaakob |
| Constituency | Kota Raja |
| 1st President of the National Trust Party | |
| Assumed office 16 September 2015 | |
| Deputy | Salahuddin Ayub (2015–2023) Mujahid Yusof Rawa (since 2023) |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kota Raja | |
| Assumed office 9 May 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Siti Mariah Mahmud (PR–PAS) |
| Majority | 71,142 (2018) 73,998 (2022) |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kuala Kedah | |
| In office 29 November 1999 – 21 March 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Zakaria Mohd Said (BN–UMNO) |
| Succeeded by | Hashim Jahaya (BN–UMNO) |
| Majority | 991 (1999) |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kubang Kerian | |
| In office 25 April 1995 – 29 November 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Husam Musa (PAS) |
| Majority | 10,125 (1995) |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Nilam Puri | |
| In office 21 October 1990 – 25 April 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Mat Ali (BN–UMNO) |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Majority | 8,139 (1990) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mohamad bin Sabu 14 October 1954 Tasek Gelugor, Penang, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia) |
| Citizenship | Malaysian |
| Nationality |  Malaysia |
| Political party | Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) (1981–2015) National Trust Party (AMANAH) (since 2015) |
| Other political affiliations | Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU) (1990–1996) Barisan Alternatif (BA) (1998–2004) Pakatan Rakyat (PR) (2008–2015) Pakatan Harapan (PH) (since 2015) |
| Spouse | Normah Alwi |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence(s) | Section 19, Shah Alam, Selangor |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | mohamadsabu |
| Mohamad Sabu on Parliament of Malaysia | |
Mat Sabu is known for his public speaking abilities.[1] He was detained twice under Malaysia's now repealed Internal Security Act (ISA).[2]
Education
editMat Sabu attended Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Mertajam in Penang before continued his studies at MARA Institute of Technology (now Universiti Teknologi MARA; UiTM) in Diploma in Food Technology. However, he did not complete the course and dismissed due to students movement circa 1971-1975.
Political career
editNGO and PAS
editMat Sabu's political career began when he joined the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) in 1975. He joined PAS in 1981.[3] He had served as Deputy President of PAS, a former component party of the former Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Alternatif (BA) opposition coalitions, from 2011 to 2015. He was elected to the party deputy presidency in 2011, running on a moderate platform against the conservative incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa. He had also served as the party vice-president prior to his election as the party Deputy President.[4] He was the first non-alim elected to the party leadership or deputy presidency in over 25 years.[1]
AMANAH
editOn 6 May 2015, Mat Sabu and other progressive PAS leaders (referred to as the G18) were ousted at the 2015 PAS Party leadership election. They then launched Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB)[5][6] and took over the dormant Malaysian Workers' Party (PPPM),[7] after their attempt to form a new party called Parti Progresif Islam (PPI) was rejected by the Home Affairs Ministry.[8][9] GHB was later rebranded as Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) with Mat Sabu as its first President.[10][11]
Minister of Defence
editIn the May 2018 general election (GE14), Pakatan Harapan had successfully won to form the new government. On 13 May 2018, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad named three key members; Muhyiddin Yassin of BERSATU as Home Minister, Lim Guan Eng of DAP as Finance Minister, while Mat Sabu of AMANAH as Defence Minister in his Cabinet along with a Council of Eminent Persons (CEP).
On 28 June 2018, Mat Sabu announced that Malaysia will withdraw its troops stationed in Saudi Arabia to reflect the country's neutrality in the region.[12]
Controversies
editOperation Lalang
editHe was detained twice under the Internal Security Act (ISA): from 1984 to 1986 under charges of being involved in extremist movements, and from 1987 to 1989 as a result of Operation Lalang, an operation that remains controversial in Malaysian politics.[3][13] He was detained in the Kamunting Detention Center together with Lim Kit Siang and his son Lim Guan Eng of the Democratic Action Party (DAP). During his two years in the detention centre, Mat Sabu entered into a friendship with the father and son and defended the duo and their party from accusations of racism in 2017.[14]
Statement over the Bukit Kepong incident
editOn 21 August 2011 during a speech in Gelugor, Penang, Mat Sabu stated that it was Muhammad Indera and the 200 Malayan Communist Party (CPM) guerillas who participated in the Bukit Kepong Incident in 1950 who deserved to be proclaimed as national heroes and not the police officers who died defending the Bukit Kepong police station, claiming that the police officers were British officers and the CPM members were the true national heroes as they fought the British. A video of the speech was uploaded on YouTube and received mainly negative responses, as the statement was regarded as an insult to the family members of the deceased policemen,[15] as well as other national heroes not affiliated with the CPM such as the late Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and UMNO founder Dato' Onn Jaafar.[16]
On 30 August 2011, Karpal Singh, the Bukit Gelugor MP at the time, responded by saying that the 25 policemen who died were true patriots and that Mat Sabu's statements were ill-advised.[17]
However, PAS denied all the allegations and defended Mat Sabu's statement and claims.[18]
On 1 September 2011, Mat Sabu also dispute the services of Sergeant Hassan defending the homeland.
On 20 September 2011, his home was splashed with kerosene and burned. His home in Section 19, Shah Alam was occupied by his son. His wife Normah Alwi (57) took care of his parents who were admitted to Kangar Hospital, Perlis. A police report was lodged at Section 15 of the Police Station, Shah Alam.
On 21 September 2011, Mat Sabu was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code at the Butterworth Sessions Court for aggravating the image of their police and their families in a talk at Padang Menora on 21 August 2011. Lawyer Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said Mat Sabu was released on bail of RM15,000 until the day of trial. If convicted, Mohamad can be jailed up to two years, or fined or both.
Statement about Royal Malaysian Air Force jet fighter
editOn 31 July 2018, Mat Sabu revealed to the press that only four of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)'s 18 Russian fighter jets were operational. This revelation was criticized by the veterans organisation Patriot and its president Arshad Raji as improper as it revealed the RMAF's level of preparedness.
Family
editOn 17 February 2011, Mat Sabu's mother, Halijah Mat, (91 years old) died at Kampung Guar Petai, Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai, Penang. She had suffered three strokes. Her body was held at the Padang Menora Mosque. Mohamad Sabu has seven siblings, namely Fatimah, Abdullah, Zainab, Sofiah, Mohamad, Kasim and Zaleha.
On 5 January 2019, Mat Sabu's son, Ahmad Saiful Islam Mohamad, was arrested with 100 others for testing positive for drugs in Kuala Lumpur.[19] The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 for drug abuse.[19] He was convicted on 24 June 2021 but the Kuala Lumpur High Court had on 27 October acquitted him by allowing his appeal to overturn the guilty verdict and eight-month jail sentence over the drug abuse case.[20]
Election results
edit| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | P035 Kepala Batas, Penang | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 4,115 | 16.82% | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (UMNO) | 16,759 | 68.51% | 25,277 | 12,644 | 80.29% | ||
| Khoo Siew Hoe (DAP) | 3,589 | 14.67% | ||||||||||
| 1986 | P041 Permatang Pauh, Penang | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 7,500 | 29.44% | Anwar Ibrahim (UMNO) | 17,979 | 70.56% | 26,098 | 10,479 | 74.82% | ||
| 1990 | P022 Nilam Puri, Kelantan | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 19,596 | 62.05% | Annuar Musa (UMNO) | 11,457 | 36.28% | 32,381 | 8,139 | 80.42% | ||
| Kamarudin (IND) | 526 | 1.67% | ||||||||||
| 1995 | P024 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 21,377 | 65.52% | Mat Zin Awang (UMNO) | 11,252 | 34.48% | 33,550 | 10,125 | 75.74% | ||
| 1999 | P010 Kuala Kedah, Kedah | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 23,548 | 51.04% | Fauzi Abdul Hamid (UMNO) | 22,557 | 48.90% | 46,781 | 991 | 76.55% | ||
| 2004 | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 26,493 | 41.85% | Hashim Jahaya (UMNO) | 36,707 | 57.98% | 64,332 | 10,214 | 81.65% | |||
| 2008 | P036 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 31,934 | 48.90% | Razali Ismail (UMNO) | 32,562 | 49.87% | 66,231 | 628 | 82.45% | ||
| Maimun Yusuf (IND) | 685 | 1.05% | ||||||||||
| 2013 | P011 Pendang, Kedah | Mohamad Sabu (PAS) | 29,527 | 47.71% | Othman Abdul (UMNO) | 32,165 | 51.97% | 62,649 | 2,638 | 89.33% | ||
| 2018 | P111 Kota Raja, Selangor | Mohamad Sabu (AMANAH) | 90,697 | 70.79% | Mohamed Diah Baharun (PAS) | 19,555 | 15.26% | 128,126 | 71,142 | 86.80% | ||
| V. Gunalan (MIC) | 17,874 | 13.50% | ||||||||||
| 2022 | Mohamad Sabu (AMANAH) | 123,307 | 62.36% | Mohamed Diah Baharun (PAS) | 49,037 | 24.94% | 199,878 | 74,000 | 80.81% | |||
| Kajendran Doraisamy (MIC) | 22,225 | 11.24% | ||||||||||
| Fahmi Bazlan Muda (PEJUANG) | 2,063 | 1.04% | ||||||||||
| Che Sara Afiqah Zainul Arif (PRM) | 360 | 0.18% | ||||||||||
| P Raveentharan Periasamy (IND) | 209 | 0.11% | ||||||||||
| Kumar Karananedi (IND) | 163 | 0.08% | ||||||||||
| Surendhar Selvaraju (IND) | 109 | 0.05% | ||||||||||
Honours
edit
Federal Territory (Malaysia) :
Grand Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown (SMW) – Datuk Seri (2023)[26]
Foreign Honours
edit
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Tan, Joceline (5 June 2011). "Uncharted road ahead for PAS". The Star. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ Tan, Sharon (2 June 2009). "Mat Sabu likes the "progressive" way". Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Mat Sabu, from renowned speaker to minister", The Sun Daily, 12 May 2018
- ^ Habibu, Sira (4 June 2011). "PAS polls result: Mat Sabu is new deputy, ulama lose out". The Star. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ Jennifer Gomez (13 July 2015). "'Purged' PAS leaders launch splinter movement". The Malaysian Insider. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ FMT Reporters (6 May 2015). "Seven rebel MPs ditch PAS for breakaway GHB". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Ram Anand (31 August 2015). "GHB to take over dormant Workers Party". The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ "GHB ambil alih Parti Pekerja Malaysia". Berita Harian. 31 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Adrian Lai (31 August 2015). "GHB to form new Islamic party under existing political vehicle". New Straits Times. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Khairunnisa Kasnoon (31 August 2015). "Parti Amanah Negara jadi wadah politik GHB". Astro Awani. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Rahmah Ghazali (31 August 2015). "GHB announces setting up of Parti Amanah Negara". The Star Online. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ "Malaysia to withdraw troops stationed in Saudi Arabia".
- ^ Kasthuri Patto, The ghost of the Internal Security Act and Operasi Lalang 1987 continues to haunt and terrify a nation, http://www.malaymail.com, 27 October 2013.
- ^ 在扣留营跟吉祥父子变朋友！末沙布：我知火箭不种族主义 Archived 23 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine, http://www.malaymail.com, 25 October 2017.
- ^ "Waris tragedi Bukit Kepong tersinggung". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 28 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ "Mat Sabu's remarks an insult, says Muhyiddin". The Star. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ Bukit Kepong Tragedy: The 25 Policemen Were True Nationalists, Says Karpal, The Malaysian Mirror, 30 August 2011
- ^ "Isu sebenar ceramah Md Sabu" (in Malay). harakahdaily.net. Archived from the original on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ a b Charles Ramendran (6 January 2019). "Mohamad Sabu stands firm despite son's arrest". The Sun Daily. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ^ V Anbalagan (27 October 2021). "Mat Sabu's son freed of drug conviction". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 5 June 2016. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
- ^ "KEPUTUSAN PILIHAN RAYA UMUM 13". Sistem Pengurusan Maklumat Pilihan Raya Umum (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2017.Results only available for the 2013 election.
- ^ "Malaysia General Election". undiinfo Malaysian Election Data. Malaysiakini. Retrieved 4 February 2017. Results only available from the 2004 election.
- ^ "SEMAKAN KEPUTUSAN PILIHAN RAYA UMUM KE - 14" (in Malay). Election Commission of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
- ^ "The Star Online GE14". The Star. Retrieved 24 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
- ^ "Mat Sabu kini bergelar Datuk Seri". Berita Harian.
- ^ "Mat Sabu receives Russia's Medal of Spiritual Unity". The Sun Daily. 17 May 2023.
External links
edit
- Mohamad Sabu's official blog Archived 6 January 2012 at the Library of Congress Web Archives
- Mohamad Sabu on Facebook
