He said the issue of factions did not arise as the positions of the top five leaders, including the president, would be determined by consensus by the 27 national leadership committee members, to be chosen by representatives.

“There is no issue of factions because these 27 selected members will decide who is eligible to be the president.

“So, there’s nothing unusual about appointing the president from among these 27, based on merit,” he said after officiating the Perak Amanah convention here today.

Also present were state Amanah chairman Asmuni Awi; state PKR chairman Chang Lih Kang; state DAP treasurer Howard Lee; and state Umno secretary Aminuddin Hanafiah.

On Dec 5, media reports claimed a senior Amanah leader had acknowledged the existence of certain groups orchestrating a movement to replace current president Mohamad Sabu with a new leadership led by Mujahid in the upcoming party election.

Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda acknowledged the presence of two factions among party supporters actively pressing for a decision on whether Mohamad should be replaced and appointed as an adviser to Amanah, or continue leading the party for at least another term.

Mujahid, who is also the Perak Pakatan Harapan chairman, said a convention, involving the entire unity government machinery, would be held on Dec 28.

He said that details regarding the agenda and location of the convention would be announced later.

In George Town, Amanah’s strategy director Dzulkefly Ahmad said that elections should be conducted in healthy competition with friends in the party.

“Party selection is important because it is a democratic practice. So, compete healthily.

“I would advise those standing for office to contest according to their respective capacities. The representatives will assess our value and we can avoid creating factions in the party.

“We need to continue strengthening the party, regardless of who wins,” he said after officiating the Penang Amanah convention.

Dzulkefly said the process of rejuvenating Amanah required both new and old members.

To a question of whether there will be a contest for the post of party president, currently held by Mohamad, Dzulkefly said that anyone who wants to contest for any position, including at the highest level, should do it in a healthy manner.

When asked if he would run in the party elections, he said he had yet to make a decision.