Amanah believes that the corruption case involving Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu's political secretary is now considered settled.

The party's secretary-general Mohd Anuar Tahir said the officer had been screened by the Prime Minister's Office for the post and that he had also taken his oath of office.

"Officers who were appointed by the minister were filtered by the Prime Minister (Office). After that, they would take their oath in front of the prime minister, especially the ministers' secretaries.

"If there's been misconduct, people will lodge a report and the authorities will investigate. So this issue has now been cleared," Anuar told the media in a press conference at Wisma Amanah Negara in Kuala Lumpur today.

Anuar opined that the issue had been exaggerated to tarnish the name of Mohamad, who is popularly known as Mat Sabu.

Earlier, Anuar was asked for an update on the officer, who had been investigated by the MACC for allegedly receiving RM800,000 from certain parties to settle his status as a bankrupt, several days after Mohamad was sworn in as defence minister.

The commission had been checking whether the debts were settled with the intention to secure defence projects in return.

It is learned that the issue regarding the officer had been discussed at Amanah's monthly meeting on Sept 4.

On Aug 27, Malaysiakini reported that Amanah Youth chief Mohd Sany Hamzan had said that party leaders would bring the matter to the meeting.

He had also asked that the officer be temporarily put on leave pending the investigation by MACC.

Sany, who was also present at the press conference with Anuar today, said that the statement he made regarding the matter was "only in general".

Commenting further, Anuar said everyone in Amanah has a right to speak up on the issue.

"We in Amanah allow our members to make a statement and discuss the matter, but now that the issue no longer arises, it is considered settled," he said.

Possible new opposition welcomed

Meanwhile, responding to hints by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that a new opposition bloc may be formed, Anuar said Amanah welcomed the possibility.

"We welcome the formation of the opposition coalition. In the past, we had also been in a coalition under Barisan Alternatif in 1999, followed by Pakatan Rakyat and later, Pakatan Harapan.

"So, if the opposition now wants to create a coalition, it's their right in our democratic system," he said.

At a press conference during the PAS muktamar in Kuala Terengganu today, Hadi said that if BN’s predecessor, the Alliance, had its own lifespan, so would BN.

The Marang MP also said that the people should wait for developments regarding the coalition after this.

Hadi said PAS was willing to work with any party that would bring benefits to the country and the people.

"A change will happen. We will wait and see," he added.