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A BERSATU lawmaker has rejected suggestions that party MPs are set to discuss replacing Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin as Opposition Leader during a scheduled gathering at party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s residence on Tuesday night.
Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob said the event was simply a dinner and routine discussion session, long planned and not in any way a special meeting to negotiate leadership changes.
“Meetings with the President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin, are a normal affair. Datuk (Seri) Hamzah will also be present. This is not a special meeting, and there is no agenda to replace anyone,” he said.
He added that the invitation to all Bersatu MPs had been extended verbally well in advance, describing their attendance at the President’s residence as neither unusual nor suspicious.
Fathul Huzir also dismissed persistent speculation that Vice-President Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin was being positioned to replace Hamzah as Opposition Leader, calling such claims a “narrative crafted by enemies” and entirely baseless.
“So if you come across any circulating letter claiming there is an effort to replace Hamzah with Dr Radzi, that speculation is untrue and without foundation,” he said.
The rumours intensified on Sunday following the circulation of an undated and unofficial internal draft labelled “confidential”, allegedly urging immediate action to restore party unity — including a proposal to appoint Radzi as the new Opposition Leader.
Questioning the legitimacy of the document, Fathul Huzir asked, “That letter claiming Hamzah is to be sacked… who verified it? This is the sort of thing enemies usually do. As long as there is no confirmation and no official party letter, we cannot treat it as evidence. It is merely hearsay.” He added, “It is illogical to suggest an agenda to remove the Deputy President. Who would even do that?”
Almost all Bersatu MPs are expected to attend the dinner except Beluran MP Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, who is contesting the Sabah state election, as well as two MPs currently facing disciplinary action — Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Tasek Gelugor) and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang). Former foreign minister and Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah is also expected to attend despite recently being summoned by the party’s disciplinary board.
Bukit Damansara is expected to draw attention on Tuesday night amid talk of a separate gathering by Hamzah’s supporters outside Muhyiddin’s residence. However, Fathul Huzir stressed that such activity had “nothing to do” with the attendance of Bersatu MPs.
Hamzah himself denied any hidden agenda, saying, “Well, the party president calling a meeting with MPs is normal. Why is there suddenly drama, even interviews?”
Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Mersing MP Islahuddin Abas also confirmed they would attend, describing it as merely a “regular meeting”.
The meeting takes place amid heightened internal tension following Wan Saiful’s expulsion and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal’s suspension, as well as the leak of a disciplinary hearing audio in which board chairman Datuk Radzi Manan allegedly linked Hamzah to attempts to undermine Muhyiddin.
Despite the backdrop, Fathul Huzir moved to shut down speculation: “There is no agenda to replace the Opposition Leader. There is nothing unusual at all.” - November 18, 2025