Thousands of supporters attended the launch of new political party, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) at the Interior Design Convention Centre (IDCC) here.

The party was officiated by its president, Mohamad Sabu, who was former PAS deputy president.

Amanah secretary-general, Anuar Tahir said up till yesterday, a total of 30,018 new members had registered to join the party.

“The majority of members hail from Kelantan, followed by Johor and Selangor.

“This party rejects the hard line mentality. We have also gotten membership requests from non-Muslims as well,” he said during the launch.

Also present was DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang.

Amanah was previously known as Gerakan Harapan Baru, a movement created by former PAS professional leaders who lost in the party's muktamar last May.

In his effort to get the new party registered, Mohamad Sabu, popularly known as Mat Sabu, had taken over an existing political party – Malaysian Workers' Party – and rebranded it as Amanah.

The former Kuala Kedah MP had previously said details on the amendments of party name and constitution would be duly submitted to the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

Last Sunday, however, RoS director-general Datuk Mohammad Razin Abdullah had said the Malaysian Workers' Party is prohibited from carrying out any activities or program under Amanah's name until RoS has officially approved the name change.