Hamzah vs Azmin: Bersatu division leader exposes cracks in party

 

A Bersatu division leader under disciplinary probe today openly admitted to the existence of “opposing camps” within the party - one of which is in support of deputy president Hamzah Zainudin to take over the president’s post from Muhyiddin Yassin.

Met after an hour-long proceeding at the party’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Bersatu Hulu Langat information chief Shafiq Abdul Halim said the “other camp” is aligned with party secretary-general Azmin Ali.

“Everyone knows - there’s no need for me to keep it a secret - that two camps exist: the Azmin camp and the Hamzah (above, left) camp.

“Few people state this openly, but I will say that the real issue is the clash between the group that came from Umno and the group that came from PKR.

“The Umno group wants its own leader, while the group from PKR wants Azmin. That is where the split within the party began,” he said.

Bersatu Hulu Langat information chief Shafiq Abdul Halim

Before joining Bersatu, Hamzah was among Umno lawmakers who declared a loss of confidence in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s leadership and exited the party on Dec 14, 2018.

Azmin, then-PKR deputy president, joined Bersatu two years later, along with 10 other PKR MPs, in the Sheraton Move that triggered the downfall of Pakatan Harapan’s first stint in federal power.

Previously, it was reported that the Bersatu disciplinary board chaired by Radzi Manan is expected to summon over a dozen members today, including Hamzah and his former press secretary, Johor Bahru Bersatu chief Zulkifli Bujang.

Both Hamzah and Zulkifli have requested a deferment as they are abroad, and as of 2pm today, only Shafiq was seen at the party headquarters.

In a text message later, Shafiq confirmed that he was the only one attending today’s hearing. Reasons for the others’ absence are unclear.

‘Split will happen’

Asked on impact of any actions taken against Hamzah, Shafiq said, “If you ask me, the impact would be a split. Whether it would be big or small, I can’t say.

“But I believe a split will happen. In fact, if we look at the current situation, those crises have already begun to unfold.”

As for the proceedings against him, Shafiq said he was summoned based on four complaints, including one by Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz.

“Among the complaints were those related to my media statements and posts on social media.

“First, they concern my criticism of Tun Faisal in his capacity as information chief, my criticism of Azmin as the party’s secretary-general, and also my criticism regarding Muhyiddin’s position as Perikatan Nasional chairperson.

“I was also reported for making an open statement expressing support for PAS,” Shafiq said.

Recently, Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee’s open call for Muhyiddin’s resignation exposed a widening rift with a faction said to support Hamzah.

Various party leaders at the central and division levels promptly issued statements as a response, with critics pointing to the Sabah Bersatu chief’s “failure” in leading PN at the last Sabah state polls. - Mkini