Hamzah stays as opposition leader for now, says Takiyuddin

 

Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan said Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin will remain as opposition leader for the time being, as no formal notification has been submitted to Parliament on any change to the post.

Takiyuddin (above, centre) said he met Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul today to discuss the matter and referred to the speaker’s earlier statement on Hamzah’s status.

“As things stand, Hamzah is still the opposition leader. The speaker agreed, and I also agreed that, for now, his position remains unchanged,” the Kota Bharu MP told reporters during a press conference in Parliament.

“There has been no notification from the opposition bloc on the position of the opposition leader, so there is no change at this point.”

He added that seating arrangements in the Dewan Rakyat will also remain.

Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin

Hamzah, who has claimed “majority support” from incumbent Bersatu MPs and others sacked from the party, was absent from the press conference this week.

Takiyuddin, however, was flanked by MPs aligned with Hamzah and by PAS MPs.

With only two days left in the parliamentary sitting, Takiyuddin said PN is unlikely to make any immediate decision.

“The time frame is too short. We will discuss this further over a longer period.

“At the moment, no decision has been made,” he said.

Apart from Bersatu, the opposition bench also comprises 43 PAS lawmakers, one from Muda, and six former Bersatu representatives sacked in June 2024 for failing to pledge allegiance to the party. - Mkini