SHAH ALAM: There is no hostility between us, says Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over his relationship with party deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Responding to Hamzah’s declaration that he is “Muhyiddin’s number one man”, the former prime minister thanked his deputy, adding that both of them are friends.
“Some people have created a perception that Hamzah and I are not good friends. When Hamzah reiterated this publicly for the first time, I hold on to what he said.
“This is not only a good start, but things are getting stronger than ever,” he said while holding hands with Hamzah during a press conference after the Bersatu annual general assembly here yesterday.
Hamzah earlier declared his loyalty to Muhyiddin during his winding-up speech, saying that he is the president’s number one supporter.
“I will die in this party, I am not a traitor and I want to sit next to you as your little brother, Mr President.
“Enough is enough. Of all of you, I am the number one supporter of the president,” Hamzah said to loud cheers from the delegates.
Restated friendship: Muhyiddin (right) and Hamzah holding hands at the Bersatu AGM in Shah Alam. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
Muhyiddin played down the disturbance which occurred during his speech at the party’s eighth annual general assembly at Ideal Convention Centre on Saturday.
A scuffle broke out among the delegates when Muhyiddin was addressing allegations to oust him, with a delegate shouting “it’s not true, Tan Sri”.
Muhyiddin said the party will address the commotion internally.
“It should not have happened, but it did. We have ways to deal with this and ensure it does not happen again.
“What matters is that we need to preserve the party’s image at all times.
“We need to look into strengthening our party,” he said.
Prior to the Bersatu AGM, there was talk of statutory declarations coming from division leaders calling for Muhyiddin to step down as president.
Shah Alam OCPD ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim confirmed a report on the incident was received early yesterday.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 160 of the Penal Code.
Bersatu Srikandi chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the scuffle marred what was supposed to be a monumental event for the women’s wing.
She said the incident happened when Muhyiddin announced the formation of a committee to oversee the involvement and empowering of women in Bersatu.
“We proposed this to the president previously and were extremely happy with the developments. But it then turned sour due to the disturbance.
“It was supposed to be a big moment for us,” she said in her winding-up speech.
