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BERSATU Deputy President and Leader of the Opposition Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said today the decision rests entirely with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and that he will remain loyal as long as the president continues to lead the party.
"I feel it is quite well known that the president wishes to hand the baton to me when he steps down. As Deputy President, I am simply waiting," Hamzah said in an interview with BFM Breakfast Grille.
"Like a 4 x 100-metre relay, perhaps I am the second runner and he is the first. So I am just waiting. When he comes close and passes the baton, I will take it, provided it does not cross the line," he added.
Hamzah also rejected speculation that he is seeking to seize control of Bersatu, reaffirming his steadfast loyalty to Muhyiddin.
"As I said during the closing of Bersatu’s Annual General Assembly, I emphasised to everyone that I am the president's number one supporter," he stressed.
Commenting on internal party tensions, Hamzah said disputes within Bersatu are not unusual, noting that similar issues arise in other political parties.
"All political parties will have some disagreements regarding leadership; it is not unique to Bersatu. We hope these matters can be resolved promptly, rather than dragging on," he said.
He also addressed claims of three factions within Bersatu — aligned with Muhyiddin, Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, and himself.
"The perception that Bersatu has different blocs actually reflects that the party has many recognised and influential leaders.
“When people say there are the Muhyiddin, Azmin, and Hamzah blocs, it indicates that we have leaders acknowledged by the public. That is a good thing for the party," he said, while admitting he does not know whether the factions genuinely exist.
In a related development, two members of Bersatu’s Disciplinary Board, including chairman Datuk Mohammed Radzi Manan, were urged to step down following a request from Bersatu Supreme Council member and Indera Mahkota MP, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
Saifuddin, who is also a member of the party’s Supreme Leadership Council, said the demands, made during a meeting at Bersatu headquarters on Thursday, also included the attendance of President Muhyiddin and the investigators and prosecutors involved in the case against him. He stated he is willing to attend the next disciplinary session if these conditions are met.
His attendance on Thursday came despite a reconciliation agreement reached at the party’s Supreme Council meeting on Tuesday.
"The first demand is that the two Disciplinary Board members step down from handling my case as they have conflicts of interest with Bersatu leadership such as Deputy President Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
"In terms of personal relationships, Mohammed Radzi is Ahmad Faizal's father-in-law, while Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif works under the Secretary-General. Therefore, these personal ties and previous statements may cast doubt on the transparency of the disciplinary process," he said.
Saifuddin’s second demand concerns clarity on the identities of the investigator and prosecutor in his case.
"It is vital for me to know that the case investigator, the person bringing the charges, and the Disciplinary Board members deciding my fate are three separate parties," he said.
His third demand involves calling President Muhyiddin to provide clarification, citing allegations that Saifuddin had proposed that the Pagoh MP resign from the party presidency.
"Some questions can only be answered by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The Disciplinary Board can only make a decision after hearing from him," Saifuddin said.
He has requested a new disciplinary session once all three demands are fulfilled, promising full cooperation. "If these three demands are met, I am ready to attend the next session and cooperate fully with the Disciplinary Board," he cadded. - November 6, 2025