Muhyiddin Consolidates Support From Hamzah Bersatu Mps No Protest

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A purported demonstration in support of Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin outside of party president Muhyiddin Yassin’s house last night did not materialise.
Instead, the only demonstration was a show of support by Muhyiddin’s dinner guests for the embattled president.
Two days prior, after invitations for Bersatu MPs to attend the fete at Bukit Damansara were leaked, a poster began circulating in WhatsApp circles calling for a rally to defend Hamzah, who is being pitted against the party president.
Those close to Hamzah dismissed the poster as a “black ops” attempt at tarnishing the opposition leader’s reputation.
ADSThe night was calm when Malaysiakini and other press stationed themselves outside the gated entrance that led to the homes along Jalan Setia Bakti in Kuala Lumpur at 7.30pm.
However, while the protest did not materialise, police patrol cars could be observed circling the area several times throughout the night.
Away from the prying eyes of the press, 18 MPs, including Hamzah, shared a meal with Muhyiddin.
The 18 were Hamzah, Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya), Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah), Khlir Nor (Ketereh) Islahuddin Abas (Mersing), Fathul Huzir Ayob (Gerik), Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (Kubang Pasu), Abdul Khalib Abdullah (Rompin), Nordin Ahmad Ismail (Lumut), Zakri Hassan (Kangar), Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Muslimin Yahaya (Sungai Besar), Roslan Hashim (Kulim Bandar Baharu), Azahari Hasan (Padang Rengas), Kalam Salan (Sabak Bernam), Nazri Abu Hassan (Merbok), Suhaimi Abdullah (Langkawi), and Azman Nasrudin (Padang Serai).
Excluding Hamzah, Radzi, Azman, and Suhaimi, the other MPs were all signatories of a letter to Muhyiddin two weeks ago.
The letter protested disciplinary action against Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, as well as the deputy president.
Wan Saiful (left) and Wan FayhsalWan Saiful was sacked from Bersatu, and Wan Fayhsal was suspended, for their part in pushing for Hamzah to replace Muhyiddin.
Two signatories of the letter, Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota) and Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), did not attend. Saifuddin is openly battling against Muhyiddin.
‘Everything’s fine, don’t worry’
Sources told Malaysiakini that dinner was followed by a meeting, which only ended close to 11pm.
After calling it a night, Kalam told reporters on his way back that, “we did not discuss anything at all related to replacing the opposition leader, or replacing the party president.”
This is in reference to rumours earlier that day that there were plans to replace Hamzah with Radzi as the opposition leader in Parliament.
ADS“We only discussed (the) Sabah (election) and how to strengthen our party,” Kalam assured.
Several other MPs also briefly reassured the press that “everything has gone well, don’t worry,” regarding last night’s meeting.
Close to midnight, Muhyiddin posted a video on social media in which Radzi led the dinner guests to repeatedly chant their support for the Bersatu president.
Muhyiddin has been under pressure from his opponents in the party to hand over the reins to Hamzah, with critics saying this is needed to revitalise Bersatu and build momentum for the next general election.
But for now at least, he’ll have some peace of mind about the allegiance of most of his MPs.
Hamzah previously said that Muhyiddin will hand him the baton when the latter is ready to let go.
- Mkini

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