Bersatu Deputy President Hamzah Zainudin has revealed that party president Muhyiddin Yassin intends to hand over the leadership baton to him when he steps down.
“It’s well known that the president wants to hand over the baton to me when he is ready,” Hamzah said in an interview with BFM.
On the timing of the leadership transition, Hamzah likened it to a relay race. “It depends on the president. I’m just waiting. He’s the first runner, I’m the second. Once he passes the baton, then I will take it and run,” he explained.
When asked about discussions with Muhyiddin regarding taking over the presidency, Hamzah reiterated his full support for the current president, as stated during Bersatu’s recent annual general meeting. “There should be no more questions about that because I have given my full support to my president,” he said.
Hamzah also downplayed speculation of political purging in Bersatu following the sacking of Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan and the suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, describing it as internal bickering common in any party. “I hope the internal political bickering about leadership will settle soon rather than prolong,” he said.
Addressing speculation about three factions within Bersatu aligned with Muhyiddin, Azmin Ali, and himself, Hamzah said it reflected the party’s depth of capable leaders. “I am happy because it shows there are leaders in Bersatu that are recognised by the people,” he added.
The party has faced mounting tensions after the disciplinary action against Wan Saiful and Wan Fayhsal, amid an apparent leadership feud between Muhyiddin and Hamzah. Bersatu’s disciplinary board also expelled four division chiefs – Azrudin Idris (Hang Tuah Jaya), Faizal Asmar (Pengerang), Fadhli Ismail (Ipoh Timur), and Isa Saidi (Ampang).
Wan Saiful had accused figures close to Muhyiddin of straining relationships among party leaders, singling out Azmin and party information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin has faced calls to step down from the presidency, including from Supreme Council member and Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah.
