KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu says he accepts and will obey the decree of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah as Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) chancellor, on retaining the university’s name.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister, who is popularly known as Mat Sabu, said he will heed the decision of his Royal Highness as final.
“I shall not prolong this matter. I accept his decision and obey his decree.
“My duty as the minister is now on how to improve the university together with the staff. If there is a need for allocations, we will find ways to do so,” Mohamad told reporters after launching the Federal Territory Parti Amanah Nasional Convention in Sentul here yesterday
On Thursday, Mohamad said a proposal to change UPM’s name back to its original name, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, would be submitted to the Cabinet for discussion.
However, on Saturday, his Royal Highness said that the UPM Board of Trustees and himself as chancellor were not consulted regarding any proposed change of the university’s name.
“Therefore, I do not agree with the proposal,” said the Sultan in the second part of the 48th convocation ceremony at UPM.
Sultan Sharafuddin, in his speech, stressed that the UPM’s name should be maintained because he had launched the Putra brand earlier this year, which means “Pertanian Untuk Rakyat” (Agriculture for the People).
He said the UPM name is also in honour of the country’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj.
Separately, Mohamad said the concept of takfiri – excluding other Muslims – should be stopped.
The Amanah president said such a practice is prevalent in Malaysia and led to Pakatan Harapan losing some seats in the last general election.
“Allegations against Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim caused Pakatan to lose some seats in the last general election – with Nurul Izzah [Anwar’s daughter] losing her seat in Permatang Pauh,” said Mohamad.
At a media conference after his speech, Mohamad said he was not accusing any party.
“I am not making allegations against any party, but I am highlighting the fact that the action of takfiri [Muslims calling Muslims infidels] has existed, which allowed certain groups to take the opportunity to cause cracks among Muslims.
“This group also existed in the Middle East, and if we let it take root among us, it will break us up,” said Mohamad.
Earlier, Federal Territory Amanah head Khalid Samad called on members not to fall for provocation following allegations that Amanah wanted certain electoral seats during the next general election without consulting with other parties in the Madani government.
“We realise that we need one another in a unity government to win, and this cooperation must be nurtured and strengthened.
“PAS had stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi does not know how to keep secrets.
“PAS has gone low because it had allegedly offered another party for the prime minister’s post [if this government falls]. This means the PM post is being offered as a ‘bribe’.
“We may be a small party but leaving PAS was the right thing to do,” said Khalid.
Amanah was set up by a group of former PAS leaders who left the party in 2015.
