SHAH ALAM: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, has always been able to pull in the crowds at political ceramah.
His speeches on "hot" topics are peppered with jokes on local politics and he never fails to elicit chuckles or full-blown laughter from his audiences.
He held the defence portfolio in the previous Pakatan Harapan administration and has now returned to the cabinet as agriculture and food security minister.
In GE15, the 68-year-old retained the Kota Raja parliamentary seat in Selangor.
Born on Oct 14, 1954, in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, he obtained his early education in the state before continuing his studies at Institut Teknologi Mara, now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
His political career began when he joined the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) in 1975, before joining Pas in 1981.
Mohamad held various posts in Pas, including deputy president from 2011 to 2015.
On Sept 16, 2015, he established Parti Amanah Negara, and became its first president.
Amanah was formed following Pas' action of ending its political cooperation with DAP, which ultimately led to the disbandment of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition comprising PKR, DAP and Pas at the time.
Mohamad had also served as Nilam Puri MP from 1990 to 1995; Kubang Kerian MP from 1995 to 1999; and, Kuala Kedah MP from 1999 to 2004, He has held the Kota Raja parliamentary seat from 2018.
He is married to Normah Alwi, and has four children. — BERNAMA