KUALA LUMPUR – The noticeable absence of Bersatu’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was clearly felt at the Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Chinese New Year open house today.
The event, hosted by Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau at the party’s headquarters in Cheras today, witnessed the presence of PN’s top leaders, including its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the coalition’s Selangor chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, alongside other leaders.
Speculation mostly arose regarding Hamzah’s absence, with MP Datuk Awang Hashim telling Scoop that Hamzah is currently seeking medical attention and is expected to return tomorrow.
However, details regarding the nature of his medical attention remain undisclosed.
Contradicting this information, PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu expressed uncertainty about Hamzah’s absence.
He also dismissed media questions on whether this would signal an internal “turbulence” within the party.
“I’m not sure (why Hamzah did not attend). Perhaps he has another programme at his constituency…I have no information on that.
“But today, the top leadership from Bersatu, Gerakan and even PAS are here, together with our friends as we celebrate the Chinese New Year together,” he said.
“There’s the Pakatan Harapan camp and Perikatan Nasional’s camp… but in PN, especially in Bersatu, everything went well at our recent top leadership meeting.
“So even if there is a problem, we’d be able to handle it well. And Insha-Allah, we’ll undergo a ‘settlement’ among the highest leadership,” he added.
Recently, Faizal dismissed the “wild rumour” that his party was split into two camps comprising supporters of Hamzah, and those who want to maintain the status quo under Muhyiddin.
Apart from Hamzah’s absence, Lau told the media today that an invite was extended to Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
“He could not make it today due to his health. He apologised and asked us to convey his Chinese New Year wish to all Chinese in Malaysia, on his behalf.”
Questions also arose regarding Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s attendance at the open house, considering his previous association with the opposition bloc.
However, Syed Saddiq, clad in red, evaded a direct answer, emphasising the day’s significance as a celebration of unity and cultural diversity.
“Chinese New Year is a day of unity, it’s a celebration of different cultures, religions and races, as well as political beliefs and ideologies because we may disagree in policies and ideas but in no way does it mean we love our country less.
“(Well), this is clearly a day of celebration (and) not a day of politics. I’ve been doing this (attending open houses) almost every year, meeting up with leaders from all parties including their families.
“And I look forward to continuing that, maybe till the day I end (my career in) politics,” he said. – February 10, 2024