KUALA LUMPUR, February 15 — Ousted Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin was greeted with chants of “Hidup Hamzah!” as he arrived at a “Reset” gathering at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Clubhouse (PAUM), where supporters also called for party president Muhyiddin Yassin to step down.
In a fiery speech, Hamzah said he would not appeal his expulsion from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, declaring he would transform from Muhyiddin’s “number one supporter” into his “number one enemy.” Insisting he remains Opposition Leader.
The Larut MP said he had sacrificed much for the party and was dismissed over matters he claimed no knowledge of, amid escalating factional rifts. Proclaiming himself the “captain of a new struggle” for all races, Hamzah claimed the backing of 19 Bersatu MPs and support from other lawmakers within the Perikatan Nasional bloc.
Now sitting as an independent, he said his leadership position should ultimately be decided by MPs and did not rule out forming a new political platform or even joining PAS, following recent speculation. The dramatic show of support.
Came as Bersatu defended the expulsions as necessary to “save the party,” with Muhyiddin citing years of alleged internal sabotage and appointing new acting deputies to replace Hamzah.
