PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has firmly denied any involvement in a purported meeting in Bangkok tied to efforts to reshape the country’s leadership.
Clear denial issued
In a Facebook post today, Samsuri, who chairs Perikatan Nasional, said he had no connection whatsoever to what some have called the “Bangkok Move”.
“Any meetings or discussions associated with the matter did not involve me and have no connection to me,” he wrote.
He also appealed to all parties to stop speculating or linking his name to events that never included him.
Context of the claims
The denial follows reports suggesting a Bangkok meeting took place involving several political figures to explore possible cooperation among Malay-Muslim parties.
Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed earlier today that he had met opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin in Bangkok last year.
Zahid explained the discussion focused on Malay and Muslim unity and occurred during a working visit to Thailand.
He emphasised there had been no recent meetings with Hamzah, the former Bersatu deputy president.
Media reports citing sources had claimed that Samsuri and PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan were also present at those discussions.
Linked to Bersatu internal row
The reports emerged against the backdrop of a dispute within Bersatu.
Its president Muhyiddin Yassin accused Hamzah of holding secret negotiations with Zahid to create a new political arrangement.
Muhyiddin described the alleged talks as part of attempts to restructure the government and cited them as a key reason for sacking Hamzah from the party last month.
Hamzah has rejected the accusations outright.
He maintained that as opposition leader, he is free to meet anyone and labelled the claims of betrayal as “childish”.
