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THE Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for Larut Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, has publicly challenged Bersatu Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to deny accusations that he has been meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in private.
Hamzah revealed that several political figures, including a Bersatu MP, had informed him of these alleged meetings, even claiming that the MP’s child had seen Azmin leaving the Prime Minister’s office.
The accusation has also been supported by former PKR Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who raised similar concerns on social media.
“Many people have informed me about this, so I felt it was time to respond. If he denies it, fine, but if it's true, one day it will be proven,” Hamzah said in an interview with reporters today.
He warned Azmin that failing to address the matter could harm his credibility.
“People won’t believe you anymore. Right now, you're not responding, but when the truth comes out, it will all be exposed,” he added.
The Opposition Leader also addressed questions about his own political affiliations, particularly why Bersatu leaders who have openly supported Anwar have not faced consequences, while he was expelled from Bersatu for meeting UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Bangkok.
Regarding claims that he himself had met with Anwar, Hamzah reiterated that he had only ever met the Prime Minister in Parliament.
“Why would I meet Anwar? As the Leader of the Opposition, where would I meet him? In Parliament. Is that wrong? Since he became Prime Minister, I’ve never met him outside of Parliament, in his office, at his residence, or anywhere else,” he clarified.
This exchange underlines the escalating tensions in Malaysia's political sphere, where issues of loyalty, transparency, and inter-party dynamics continue to spark heated debate.
In a separate development, Hamzah also revealed that he will make a decision on his political future after Aidilfitri, including whether to form a new party, join another, or align with a political coalition.
Although currently an Independent MP, Hamzah, who is also the Opposition Leader, said he is still at a crossroads and has not yet decided whether he will join an established party or launch a new one with modern, advanced strategies.
However, he made it clear that returning to his former party, Bersatu, is not an option.
“I am still at a crossroads. I haven’t decided whether to join an existing, long-established party or start a new one with modern and sophisticated technology. But going back to BERSATU is not an option,” he said.
Hamzah used the analogy of a ship to explain his next move, emphasizing the need for a strong vessel to succeed in Malaysia’s political climate.
"After Hari Raya, I will finalize my decision. You can at least give me 30 days to make the announcement," he said in a media interview today.
He also addressed the possibility of forming a new party, noting that the Anti-Hopping Law would bind him and other MPs if they were to form an independent coalition.
“In our country’s democratic system, if I run as an Independent, all my friends will also run as Independents. The Anti-Hopping Law means we can’t form a party. That’s why I said we need a ship when the time comes. It's a legal necessity,” he explained.
Regarding the status of his application for the Parti Keluarga Malaysia, which is currently under appeal with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Hamzah said it is a matter for the party leadership to address.
"I’m only friends with this party. When we 'reset' things, there are a lot of things that need to be done. I can say that 90% of what we wanted is agreed upon, and we still need to finalize the last 10%," he added.
This follows his previous confirmation that he would lead the Parti Keluarga Malaysia after being expelled from Bersatu in February. The party’s registration was previously rejected by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in 2022, though an appeal was filed on March 11. - March 17, 2026