Larut Member of Parliament Hamzah Zainudin is moving forward with his Reset initiative aimed at strengthening Perikatan Nasional, according to Indera Mahkota Member of Parliament Saifuddin Abdullah.
This development comes despite calls for Hamzah’s proposed new political party to be barred from joining the opposition coalition.
Saifuddin noted that Hamzah’s leadership at the national level remains relevant, highlighting his role as the head of the Penggerak Payung Melayu platform.
This platform involves various prominent figures and includes former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad as its adviser.
Although Hamzah no longer serves as the opposition leader, Saifuddin stated in his Sinar Harian column that he continues to play an active role.
His work involves consistent meetings and engagements with a wide range of stakeholders, including political leaders, non-governmental organisations, professionals, and academics from diverse backgrounds.
Resistance within the coalition
The primary goal of these engagements is to strengthen Perikatan Nasional and advance a comprehensive national agenda focused on unity and development. However, the path forward faces internal hurdles within the coalition.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly insisted that Hamzah and his soon-to-be-announced party be barred from joining the coalition.
This friction follows Hamzah’s expulsion from Bersatu on Feb 13 after a leadership crisis involving Muhyiddin.
Hamzah launched the Reset movement the day after his expulsion. While the former Bersatu deputy president is expected to lead a new party, he has also hinted that the platform he joins might already be a member of Perikatan Nasional.
Currently, the coalition consists of PAS, Bersatu, Gerakan, and MIPP.
Last month, Muhyiddin indicated he would personally reject Hamzah’s entry into the coalition.
He clarified that any decision regarding new membership requires a consensus among all component parties rather than the preference of a single leader.
The pillars of the Reset agenda
Saifuddin described the Reset initiative as a commitment to building a better Malaysia while strengthening the position of the community on regional and global levels.
The movement focuses on addressing existing weaknesses and fixing systemic issues.
The initiative is guided by religious values and the principles of the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara, and national history.
It is anchored in three main pillars of a new national consensus: shared goals, inclusive economic prosperity, and fair governance.
According to Saifuddin, the successful implementation of this agenda requires a victory in the 16th General Election.
He believes that forming a government through Perikatan Nasional and its network is essential to ensuring political stability and democratic maturity in the country.
Key policy thrusts of the movement include embracing Malaysia’s diversity as a national strength and promoting a moderate multiracial democracy.
The agenda also covers societal development, national security, and enhanced cooperation between the public, private, and civil society sectors.
