PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin and 18 other MPs have pledged their continued support for Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan) following the appointment of PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the coalition's new chairman.
In a joint statement, the former Bersatu deputy president and 18 MPs extended their congratulations to Ahmad Samsuri and vowed to give him their full backing in leading the opposition bloc.
"We extend our deepest congratulations to Ahmad Samsuri on his appointment as the new chairman of Perikatan Nasional, and we give our full support to him in leading this coalition.
"This appointment is a serious consolidation which signifies that Perikatan is truly prepared to serve the people and rebuild the country. As MPs, we will continue to support Perikatan as PAS leads the coalition," they said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 22).
The Perikatan Supreme Council earlier unanimously agreed to appoint Ahmad Samsuri as chairman, replacing Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who relinquished the post on Jan 1 and now serves as a deputy chairman.
Hamzah and three other Bersatu MPs were sacked from the party on Feb 13 amid a leadership tussle with Muhyiddin. They and their supporters are reportedly preparing to take over another political party in the coming week.
Following Ahmad Samsuri's appointment, Perikatan component party leaders also agreed in principle to allow PAS to take over the opposition leader's role currently held by Hamzah. However, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said no final decision has been made and that the party needs more time to consider the matter.
