'Free man' Hamzah moves forward, coy on plans after sacking

 

Now a “free man” after his sacking, former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin is turning to old and new “friends” to kickstart a “reset” of the political scene.

During a press conference at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Clubhouse today, Hamzah, flanked by former Bersatu leaders and lawmakers, said, “Come and join me in a sincere struggle for the future of the nation.”

The Larut MP declined to confirm if he will join an existing party like Umno or PAS, or form a new one with his supporters, who claimed to be the “majority” against Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Why are you asking such questions when I am now a free man? I have already invited everyone to stand with me. If I have a lot of support, then I should have options to consider,” he said.

“Come and join me doesn’t mean that I have to be the president of a new party.

“But come and join me in the struggle,” he added.

Hamzah Zainudin

Hamzah also insisted that he will not be a rolling stone for long.

“It can be a new party, it can be an old party, but a new home,” he said.

Hamzah was a three-term Larut MP under Umno before leaving the party for Bersatu in 2018. He defended the seat for Perikatan Nasional in 2022.

Support of 19 MPs

On his high tea with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang yesterday, Hamzah revealed the Marang MP had asked how many federal lawmakers were behind him.

“Including myself, as announced earlier, there are already 19 MPs with me.

“So if it’s 19 out of 25 (from Bersatu), that means I have the majority at the central level as well, and that is acceptable within Perikatan Nasional,” he said.

Hamzah having tea with Hadi as well as other Bersatu and PAS leaders.

“As for the next process, we do not know yet whether it remains PN as it is, or whether there will be a new alignment.

“That is something that will be discussed together. I am not someone who makes decisions on my own,” said Hamzah.

Pressed further on when such decisions will be made, he quipped that the next few days will mark the start of the Chinese New Year holidays.

Appearing emotional, Hamzah later walked down the main stage to cheers from a few hundred supporters and hugs from former Bersatu leaders.

Today’s gathering was hosted by Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee, who has so far been spared disciplinary actions. - Mkini