The Member of Parliament for Larut Hamzah Zainudin has expressed confidence that he can serve as an effective intermediary between two major political coalitions to ensure political stability and national progress.
Hamzah, who was recently sacked from Bersatu, noted that the current political landscape in Malaysia requires an individual capable of closing the gaps between different groups to form a larger and more stable team.
Leveraging personal ties for political unity
While he did not specifically name the coalitions, his remarks are widely believed to refer to Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional. As a former leader in both Umno and Perikatan Nasional, Hamzah pointed to his ability to engage with high-profile figures such as Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
He cited his long history with Zahid, which dates back to their time in Umno Youth during the 1980s. He also noted that his relationship with Hadi grew stronger after the formation of Perikatan Nasional and has remained intact even after his expulsion from Bersatu on Feb 13.
In an interview with selected media, Hamzah stated his belief that he is well-positioned to play the role of a bridge. He added that he maintains good relations with many political figures, with the exception of one party president whom he did not name.
Records indicate that Hamzah had previously declared Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin as his primary political adversary following his dismissal from the party.
A new platform for systemic change
Hamzah rejected perceptions that he has become politically weaker without a formal leadership position in Perikatan Nasional. He argued that every group possesses its own unique strengths and revealed plans to launch a small vessel that would utilize a new approach and technology to strengthen cross-party cooperation.
This small vessel refers to a new party intended to serve as a platform following his removal as the deputy president of Bersatu. Hamzah suggested that while his group has its own merits, other parties are free to choose whether or not to adopt his proposed approach.
The recent restructuring within Perikatan Nasional saw PAS taking a leading role, with the party now holding the chairmanship through Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and the post of secretary-general through Takiyuddin Hassan.
The necessity of a national reset
The Opposition Leader also emphasized the need to reset the structures, institutions, and systems of the country to facilitate comprehensive reform. This refers to a movement he initiated on Feb 14, immediately following his departure from Bersatu.
Using a technology-based analogy, Hamzah explained that a reset becomes necessary when existing systems no longer function effectively. He clarified that the goal of such a move is to create a better system rather than making the situation worse.
Furthermore, Hamzah noted that successful nation-building requires capital in the form of public trust. He concluded that only when the public has confidence in the integrity and credibility of a leadership group can a larger and more meaningful foundation be established for the country.
