Melaka Bersatu leader rubbishes claim 200,000 backing Hamzah’s ‘Reset’ movement

 Hishamuddin Abdul Karim says the assertion by Rahim Thamby Chik is ‘detached from reality’.

Melaka Bersatu information chief Hishamuddin Abdul Karim (left) described former chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik’s claim as a ‘desperate attempt’ to remain politically relevant.

PETALING JAYA:

A Melaka Bersatu leader has denied a claim that more than 200,000 current and former party members are supporting Hamzah Zainudin’s Reset movement.

Melaka Bersatu information chief Hishamuddin Abdul Karim said the claim by the state chapter’s former chief, Rahim Thamby Chik, was “clearly detached from the reality on the ground”.

He said it reflected the former Melaka chief minister’s “desperate attempt” to remain politically relevant nationally.

Hishamuddin, the Kota Melaka Bersatu chief, also said Rahim should not speak about Bersatu’s internal affairs as though he still wielded major influence within the party.

“His claim that hundreds of thousands of members support the Reset movement is merely an attempt to create the impression that he still possesses political strength.

“Bersatu will not collapse simply because several people choose to leave the party. The party has faced far greater challenges and stands firm because of the strength of its grassroots members and their confidence in its struggle.

“The actual situation in Melaka is very different from the image he is trying to create,” he said in a statement.

Earlier today, Rahim alleged that more than 200,000 present and former Bersatu members are backing Hamzah because they had lost confidence in the party’s leadership and were disappointed with its culture.

Hamzah, a former Bersatu deputy president, was sacked by the party on Feb 13 at the height of a fierce leadership tussle with Muhyiddin Yassin. He launched his Reset movement the following day.

The Larut MP and former opposition leader is reportedly set to take over an existing party, with other sacked Bersatu MPs to follow him, including Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang) and Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Tasek Gelugor). - FMT