Hamzah quit as opposition leader to protect Samsuri, says Wan Fayshal

 Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal says Hamzah Zainudin acted nobly since he still commanded majority support among PN MPs to remain in the role.

Former Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad accused his former party of engaging in ‘gutter politics’ in their treatment of Hamzah Zainudin and Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

PETALING JAYA:

 A former Bersatu leader has called Hamzah Zainudin’s resignation as opposition leader a “strategic” move aimed at shielding Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar from the party’s incessant attacks.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal accused his former party of engaging in “gutter politics” by repeatedly questioning Samsuri’s credibility and portraying him as weak.

“Hamzah understood the assignment. By stepping down he is helping to stop the attacks on Samsuri.

“And we (the opposition) need to protect Samsuri as he is our poster boy,” he told FMT.

Ties between PAS and Bersatu have been strained in recent months following disagreements which fuelled the Perlis political crisis at the turn of the year.

Samsuri, the Terengganu menteri besar, is a vice-president of PAS, an ally of Bersatu in PN.

He was appointed the coalition’s chairman in February, succeeding Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin who resigned on Jan 1.

On Sunday, Samsuri said PN would submit a formal notification to the Dewan Rakyat speaker over the vacant opposition leader’s post. He was asked to comment after rumours emerged that Hamzah had stepped down.

Wan Fayhsal also described Hamzah’s move as “noble,” given that he commanded majority support among opposition MPs to remain in the role, something Bersatu has “refused to understand.”

“He is under no obligation to step down but did so to help preserve unity in PN. He put the coalition’s interest ahead of his own,” said the Machang MP.

Wan Fayhsal, who was a Bersatu Supreme Council member prior to his sacking went on to accuse his former party of kicking up a huge fuss over Hamzah continuing to hold the role despite his sacking from the party.

“Bersatu should just shut up now that they have got what they wanted,” he said.

Wan Fayhsal also called for Muhyiddin to vacate his present seat in the Dewan Rakyat, since he is no longer the PN chairman.

“He should move back and let Samsuri take his spot. Whoever is appointed the next opposition leader should take Hamzah’s seat in the lower house.” - FMT