HAJI MOHAMAD BIN SABU – DEFENCE MINISTER
HAJI MOHAMAD BIN SABU – DEFENCE MINISTER
Name : Haji Mohamad bin Sabu
Age : 63 years old (14/10/1954)
Title : Defence Minister and the founding President of Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH)
Constituency : Kota Raja parliamentary seat
Result for GE14 : Mohamad contested for Kota Raja, facing MIC’s M. Gunamalan and PAS’ Mohamed Diah Baharun. Mat Sabu won the seat with 90, 697 votes.
Political history:
Mohamad Sabu's political career began by joining Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) in 1975. He joined PAS in 1981. In 1984, he was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), charged for having involved in extremists movement. He was detained under ISA the second time in 1987 for causing chaos. Mat Sabu was once the deputy president of PAS. He then left PAS and established Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) with himself becoming its first President. Mohamad Sabu had won Kelantan’s Nilam Puri seat in 1990 and Kubang Kerian in 1995. He also won Kuala Kedah seat in 1999.
Relationship status: He is married to Normah Alwi and they have three kids Haliza binti Haji Mohamad, Muhd Hassan Bin Haji Mohamad, Muhd Haslam Bin Haji Mohamad.
Qualification: Culinary graduate from UiTM.
5 Interesting Facts About Mohamad Sabu
1. He prioritises “Manhaj Muwajjahah Silmiyyah”
- He is against brutality, sectarianism, prejudice, hypocrites who uses the name of religion and corruption. He stresses on qualities such as trustworthiness and transparency when handling things.
2. He’s really good at giving speeches
- Mohamad Sabu is known for his bold, savage and entertaining speeches.
3. He throws out things when he’s excited or when he’s so into his speeches
- There’s one time where he dropped the mic dramatically after he ended his speech. He also threw a hat when he was interviewed at the Bersih rally.
4. He is a good cook
- He once served kari kepala ikan to Members of Wanita Mudah AMANAH (WARDA) when the group visited his home in May 15. His best friend, Lim Guan Eng who is also Malaysia’s Finance Minister, sometimes referred his fellow ISA detainee as “Mat Cook”!
5. He was praised by Netizens for living humbly
- Photos of him going to work on his first day as a Minister went viral when a line of cars parked outside Mat Sabu’s home, supposedly to pick him up for work. His assistants, bodyguards, and a police escort were waiting for him outside. Initially, Mohamad Sabu requested to drive his Viva to work as he is rather embarrassed of being escorted to work. He also said that he will only use the provided government’s car if there’s government matter needed to attend.