KUALA LUMPUR: Sacked Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has declared his former leader Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as his “number one enemy”, saying that he is now a free man to continue his own political struggles.
“My struggles have always been for the party.
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“And now my number one enemy is Tan Sri Muhyiddin,” he said yesterday after speaking at an event called “Reset” which was attended by Bersatu members and leaders from several party divisions.
Hamzah, who is Larut MP, said he is now focused on his duty as Opposition Leader.
“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.
“I have been sacked and I will leave the party. I will never submit an appeal.
“If the party no longer needs me, then farewell Bersatu.”
Hamzah regarded what had happened to him as a blessing in disguise.
“As of now, I have the support of 19 out of the current 25 Bersatu MPs to continue being the Opposition Leader.
“As to whether I am part of Perikatan 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.
“I will not urge my supporters to leave Bersatu but I call on them to support my new struggle for the nation, of which I am the captain,” said Hamzah as supporters holding placards of their division names stood behind him.
He said that he is open to any possibility when asked by reporters if he is willing to return to his old party Umno, PAS or form a new party.
Hamzah said he is unaware of the reasons of his sacking from Bersatu.
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who was also present, said Muhyiddin has failed to show the same statesmanship as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who stepped down so that Muhyiddin could be the prime minister.
“There are 168 active Bersatu divisions and we have 118 with us now.
“What does that say for the support for Muhyiddin?” claimed Kiandee, who is Sabah Bersatu chief.
The “Reset” event, which was organised by Kiandee, followed several events that occurred after the Bersatu disciplinary board issued dismissal notices on Friday to 17 members including Hamzah.
