Hamzah 'quitting' as opposition chief debunked as PAS moves to lead PN

 

Statements purportedly from Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin saying he is quitting as opposition leader are fake, according to his team.

This came after two news outlets published articles about his purported resignation late last night.

Earlier yesterday, there were two separate statements allegedly from Hamzah, one resigning from unspecified posts in Perikatan Nasional, and the other quitting as opposition leader.

His office clarified last night that both statements were falsified.

The fake statements were circulated amid a slew of Bersatu leaders resigning from their PN posts, after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin tendered his resignation as the coalition chief.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin

Muhyiddin had quit amid an uproar from PAS over Bersatu's coup against the party in Perlis.

His resignation opens the door for PAS to take over the leadership of PN. Muhyiddin has led the coalition since its inception in 2020.

PAS has not expressed an intention to take the opposition leader post in Parliament as of yet.

Hamzah is one of PN's deputy chairpersons alongside the presidents of PAS and Gerakan.

If PAS takes over the PN chairperson post, Hamzah may be demoted to a vice-chief post so that Muhyiddin can be a deputy chairperson.

Subject of disinformation

The fake news about Hamzah's resignation is not the first time the opposition leader has been the subject of disinformation.

Last month, a poster circulated claiming there would be a rally in solidarity with the Bersatu deputy president outside Muhyiddin's home, coinciding with a dinner the latter held with lawmakers from his party.

Hamzah was, at the time, the subject of intense speculation that he was moving to oust Muhyiddin as Bersatu president.

The rally did not materialise, and instead Hamzah joined the other Bersatu MPs in declaring their support for Muhyiddin.

Leaders who throw their support behind Muhyiddin Yassin

While there are efforts in Bersatu to replace Muhyiddin with Hamzah, the latter has said that he would wait until the former was ready to step down before taking the reins.

PAS reportedly backed the efforts to elevate Hamzah, although the Islamist party has denied such claims. - Mkini