KUALA LUMPUR: I am relieved to finally be out of Bersatu, says the recently expelled deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
He said he is now focused on a new struggle for the nation, but insisted that he remains the Opposition Leader as the majority of Bersatu MPs are allegedly with him.
The Larut MP, who Bersatu's disciplinary board expelled along with 16 others on Friday, said this at a media conference after speaking at an event called "Reset" attended by Bersatu members and leaders from tens of divisions nationwide here today (Feb 14).
When asked whether he would return to Umno or form a new party, he said it was a possibility.
“I will not appeal, as I am now a free man and I need not listen to orders which I have to perform unwillingly in the party,” said Hamzah.
Calling recent events a possible ‘blessing in disguise’, he said: “As of now, I have the support of 19 out of 25 Bersatu MPs to continue being the Opposition Leader.”
“As to whether I am part of Perikatan Nasional or not, I am now a free man but I do not make decisions on my own.
“It is not Bersatu which decides who is the Opposition Leader, but it is the opposition MPs who decide that,” he added.
“However, I will not urge my supporters to leave the party but I call on them to support my new struggle for the nation. I may not be the head of this struggle but I am the captain for now.
“What is important is that they provide enough support for us to do what we want in the future. That struggle is more important,” said Hamzah.
When asked to elaborate, Hamzah merely said that his struggle is “to build this nation together with a new national consensus for all races”.
On his future decision to join any other political party, Hamzah said that he has yet to decide.
Hamzah also said his meeting with PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi was held in good spirits.
He also said he would not request anything from Bersatu anymore.
“What is past is in the past,” said Hamzah.
