PETALING JAYA: Bukit Gantang member of Parliament Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz claims that a significant portion of Bersatu Members of Parliament wants secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin to lead the party.
He also alleges that Bersatu currently has two factions, one supporting President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's leadership and another backing Hamzah.
Syed Abu Hussin asserts that Bersatu's Annual General Assembly last November provided an opportunity for the party to undergo changes after Muhyiddin announced not to defend his position. However, this did not materialise after he made a U-turn.
"A majority of Members of Parliament want Larut (Hamzah) because he has great potential to lead the party more dynamically, and he also seems willing, capable, and qualified.
We and most members want to see new life breathed into the leadership of this party. Unfortunately, the U-turn decision was made by the President, which he attributed to his wife's influence," he said during a media briefing here today.
In his policy speech at Bersatu's November meeting, Muhyiddin surprised everyone by announcing that he would not retain the position of President in the upcoming Bersatu election.
However, the next day, he made a U-turn after discussing with his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, who wanted him to continue serving the country.
When asked whether Bersatu MPs currently supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would revert to supporting the party's leadership if led by Hamzah, Syed Abu Hussin stated that various possibilities could unfold.
"Perhaps, if Larut leads, he has his ways. Negotiations could take place (to secure allocations from the government), so there are many possibilities," he added.