Ahead of the next Dewan Rakyat sitting beginning June 22, supporters of Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin are expected to gather for a “conference” to chart the direction for his new political platform.
Over 1,000 people representing “153 divisions” are expected to attend the June 13 “reset” conference to be held in Tanah Merah, Kelantan - according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, however, estimated a higher turnout of some 10,000 people.
“At the convention, we will announce that ‘reset’ is a multiracial people’s movement that shares a common goal - to ensure our country enjoys shared prosperity in a fair manner and establish humane governance in Malaysia.
“I also expect that, during his keynote address, Hamzah will announce the movement’s political direction, particularly regarding the participation of the ‘reset’ movement in a political party,” said the former Bersatu supreme council member.
Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah similarly hinted that an announcement will be made during or soon after the conference, on a new political party for the upcoming elections.
“All of us support Hamzah. Membership in the new party will only be announced after the announcement on the party’s formation,” the former Bersatu supreme council member told Malaysiakini.
Hamzah had launched his “reset” movement on Feb 14, alongside supporting MPs and grassroots members, a day after his sacking from Bersatu.
He had also indicated a readiness to lead the movement based on a new national consensus.
Since then, Bersatu is left with six MPs, including party president and Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin, Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya), Suhaimi Abdullah (Langkawi), Nazri Abu Hassan (Merbok), Azman Nasrudin (Padang Serai), and Ali Biju (Saratok).
The remaining 19 MPs elected from Bersatu under the Perikatan Nasional banner, including Hamzah, Wan Saiful and Saifuddin, have all either been suspended or sacked.
Without a new party, Hamzah, a former opposition leader now seated next to Muhyiddin, will return to the Dewan Rakyat as an independent lawmaker, along with the other sacked MPs.
Not taking over PCM
On June 6, Hamzah reportedly dismissed reports that he was set to take over Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), calling them mere speculation.
Berita Harian quoted Hamzah as saying, “That is merely their claim,” before declining to comment further.
Hamzah’s remarks are believed to be made in response to a Sin Chew Daily report that quoted a party source who revealed purported talks with the PCM leadership over a possible takeover and plans to field ex-Bersatu leaders in the upcoming elections.
A PCM party veteran reportedly said discussions are still in the preliminary stages, with the party open to talks, while Hamzah is also exploring other political options.
The purported talks were also linked to initial media reports that indicated a “failed attempt” to register a new entity known as Parti Keluarga Malaysia (PKM).
‘Black ops’
On social media, an artificial intelligence-generated poster for a “new party” led by Hamzah had further fuelled speculations on the impending announcement.
However, Zulkifli Bujang, a former aide to Hamzah who now heads the Johor chapter of “reset”, dismissed the image as part of a “black ops” by irresponsible parties.
“That poster is fake, not true,” said the former Johor Bharu Bersatu division chief.
The poster named Hamzah as the purported president of “Parti Gagasan Sejahtera Demokratik”, with Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee as his purported deputy.
Apart from a questionably shaped party logo, observers were quick to point out that Hamzah’s image more closely resembled that of a former senior public figure, while Ronald’s image was the most accurate.
When contacted, Ronald similarly dismissed the poster, which he acknowledged had created a buzz among his constituents.
“Maybe because I am bald, so it is easy for AI to ‘copy’,” he quipped.
Ahead of official nominations for the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, Hamzah reportedly claimed on June 6 to have close cooperation with PAS despite Perikatan Nasional chairperson Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar rejecting applications for new components apart from its current members. - Mkini
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