PN won’t damage Sabah state leadership, says Hamzah

 

Hamzah Zainudin (seated, right) with Sabah Bersatu chief Ronald Kiandee and other party members in Kota Kinabalu today. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional and Bersatu, its main component member, have no intention of causing damage to the Sabah state leadership, the parties’ secretary-general, Hamzah Zainudin, said today.

He also claimed that several former Bersatu assemblymen now allied with Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor had expressed their intention to remain with the party, according to a Bernama report.

Speaking in Kota Kinabalu after a meeting with Sabah Bersatu leaders, Hamzah said the rift between the party and the group led by Hajiji was considered an internal problem.

“That’s our problem. Internal problem. For the state, for the rakyat,” he said, Bernama reported.

Hajiji and other state assemblymen from Sabah Bersatu announced in December that they were leaving Bersatu after Hajiji, as chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), declared support for Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

GRS became a member of the unity government formed by Anwar, together with PH, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and other allies while Perikatan Nasional comprising Bersatu and its ally PAS formed the opposition.

Hamzah said Bersatu is awaiting confirmation from the Registrar of Societies about the status of the party’s Sabah chapter as a member of GRS.

He said the query to the registrar was made following the decision by Hajiji and other Sabah Bersatu leaders to quit the party.

Hamzah spoke to reporters after a meeting with members of the Sabah Bersatu leadership, including party vice-president Ronald Kiandee, who is the new Sabah Bersatu chief.

Hamzah said based on membership, Sabah Bersatu was still relevant in the state, adding that the party was currently undergoing a restructuring process at the state and division levels.

Kiandee said the state chapter remains intact despite the departure of several leaders. “Their departure has zero effect on the party’s strength at the grassroots level,” he said in a Facebook post.

He added that new leaders will be appointed at all levels, and that the state leadership lineup will be finalised soon. - FMT