KUALA LUMPUR: Former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin received a boisterous welcome from hundreds of members and axed leaders at an event called "Reset" here on Saturday (Feb 14).
Busloads of supporters, allegedly from dozens of Bersatu divisions nationwide, gathered to show solidarity with the 17 individuals expelled from the party on Friday (Feb 13).
Hamzah's arrival was greeted with chants of "Hidup Hamzah!" and "Undur Tan Sri!", the latter in reference to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The event was organised by Bersatu vice-president and Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who is known as a staunch supporter of Hamzah.
Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said that Hamzah would address the crowd not as a Bersatu leader.
"He will be speaking as someone who is 'beyond' a Bersatu leader," said Saifuddin, without elaborating further.
Other prominent figures present at the venue included Ronald Kiandee and women’s wing Srikandi chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Earlier in the day, the party convened a special supreme council meeting at around 10am at Muhyiddin's residence.
On Friday, the Bersatu Disciplinary Board issued dismissal notices to 17 members, including Hamzah, who is also the Opposition Leader.
The Larut MP and others were dismissed under Clause 22.5 of the Bersatu constitution, with the board citing actions that violated Clause 9.1.4, which requires members to comply with the party's constitution and Code of Ethics.
