Muhyiddin claims Hamzah was in covert talks with Zahid

2026-03-03 - 02:53

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin accused opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin of being behind moves to destabilise and divide the party. PETALING JAYA: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin claims that his former deputy, Hamzah Zainudin, held covert talks with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to form a new political configuration. Muhyiddin accused Hamzah of being behind moves to destabilise and divide Bersatu, saying this was the main reason why the opposition leader was sacked from the party on Feb 13. He said these moves included secret negotiations with Zahid, the Barisan Nasional chairman, without the party’s knowledge or permission, Sinar Harian reported. Muhyiddin also claimed that Hamzah had plans to form a new political configuration that would allow him to be appointed deputy prime minister, while another leader would hold the top post. “Zahid previously said he had met and held negotiations with PAS and Bersatu. Some called it the Bangkok Move or something like that. “In our WhatsApp chat group, I asked: who met Zahid? Who? No one answered, but I later received verified information that it was Hamzah who met Zahid,” he was quoted as saying. Muhyiddin insisted that Hamzah had no right to hold negotiations with the leaders of other parties without the party’s mandate. He also said Hamzah had committed “many other offences” which forced the Bersatu disciplinary board to expel him from the party to prevent further problems, although the talks with Zahid was a major issue. “This is no small thing. That one particular thing alone is a very serious matter,” the former prime minister said. FMT has reached out to Hamzah for comment. Hamzah was sacked at the height of a bitter leadership tussle with Muhyiddin. Five other MPs have also been sacked from Bersatu since October, all of whom are aligned with Hamzah. Thirteen MPs still with Bersatu are also in the Larut MP’s corner.