BENTONG: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has refuted rumours that he will challenge Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the presidency, which are said to be causing discontent and discord within the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) party.
"Who made such a statement? In our party meeting, the party president, vice president, and I serve as secretary-general, and we all get along just fine," he said in response to rumours that he would challenge Muhyiddin in the next party selections.
Speaking to members of the media after attending the Ceramah Perdana organised by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) machinery at Dataran Purnama here last night, Hamzah explained that such a claim was made by irresponsible individuals and that the rumour is false.
"The ones who made up such a baseless story must be outsiders. There is no story about me wanting to contest for the party president's post because party selection is in another 18 months' time. So why the need to make up such a story about division, disunity?
"No, there is no such thing. I am the secretary-general, Tan Sri Muhyiddin is the president. He appointed me as secretary-general. So why should there be any discord or division? If I do not like him then I will step down. If he doesn't like me then he will fire me.
"What's the deal with all these unsubstantiated and nonsensical rumours and gossip? Our Bersatu colleagues, comrades, are all together, united, and friendly with one another," said the Larut member of Parliament.
According to a Berita Harian news report last month, Hamzah's name was mentioned as being the main challenger for the top post if Muhyiddin decides not to run in the next party selection process.
A source from within Bersatu said there was a possibility that Muhyiddin might not contest for any post and such an intention or wish had long been made known to the party leadership.
The source said that Hamzah had enough strong support from among Bersatu party members to step up and lead the party.
In May, the selection for the party's Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) and divisions were postponed for 18 months in order to make room for and concentrate on the state elections.
However, the postponement did not include selection at branch level.