A sacked opposition leader is expected to unveil a new political party after gauging support at a key coalition meeting today, says an ally.
PETALING JAYA: Sacked Bersatu leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is expected to unveil his new political vehicle only after assessing sentiments at today’s Perikatan Nasional special meeting, said former Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Wan Saiful, who was also expelled from Bersatu, said Hamzah’s camp had already signalled plans to unveil a “new home” soon.
“As mentioned by Datuk Seri Hamzah on Feb 14, we will announce our new home in the near future,” he told theSun via WhatsApp.
“Yes, it will definitely be a political party. For me, whether we take over an existing party or register a new one is not important. Either way, it will be shaped according to the mould of the new home that we want to build.”
The Tasek Gelugor MP explained that the announcement has been deliberately delayed while the group focuses on internal restructuring, including dissolving Bersatu division committees aligned with them.
“We are not announcing the new home yet because our focus now is on dissolving Bersatu division committees and exiting Bersatu in preparation for joining the new home.”
Wan Saiful claimed that nearly 40 Bersatu divisions had already dissolved their committees and left the party.
“I call on all those who wish to be with us to resign from Bersatu and announce their exit as soon as possible. Nearly 40 divisions have done so, and many more are waiting for the right moment to hold division meetings to approve the dissolution of their committees.”
The Perikatan Nasional special meeting today is expected to address leadership matters, particularly the appointment of a new coalition chairman.
Two senior PAS leaders confirmed this – deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and assistant secretary-general Syahir Sulaiman, who is political secretary to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Rumours have circulated that Hamzah and his supporters could take over an existing party, with Parti Berjasa and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia among the names mentioned.
There has also been speculation that Hamzah and his allies, including 16 MPs who won their seats under Bersatu, could join PAS, although this appears unlikely.
Bersatu Port Dickson division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, hinted at options for Hamzah’s new political home but refused to disclose details until everything is finalised.
“At this stage, we have to understand the situation under the current regime, where we are an oppressed opposition. Of course, we cannot reveal anything until we have completed the constitutional amendments and finalised everything. We will only make an announcement once all those matters are settled.”
Badrul, who has not been expelled from Bersatu, attended Hamzah’s “reset” event last weekend at the Rumah Kelab Persatuan Alumni Universiti Malaya, signalling his continued alignment with the former deputy president.
Hamzah, who is opposition leader, was sacked from Bersatu last week. Bersatu disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan said in a notice issued on Feb 13 that the matter had been decided during a board meeting on Feb 12.
He said the board had decided that Hamzah would be stripped of his membership rights in the party under Clause 22.5, effective from the date the letter was issued, Feb 13.
“(The dismissal is) due to the actions of Datuk Seri violating Clause 9.1.4 of the Bersatu constitution,” he added.
The Sun Malaysia
