Hamzah apologises for Hajiji's exit from Bersatu

Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin apologised to members and supporters in Sabah, alluding to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s move to quit the party in 2022.

Speaking at a press conference this morning after launching Bersatu’s four wings annual general assembly at the Ideal Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Hamzah also promised that such an episode would not recur in the upcoming Sabah polls.

“I apologise because it is true that Hajiji was once our representative. But he took the support we had strengthened together for the party’s interest and went over to the other side.

“In the end, the people became the victims,” said Hamzah.

In December 2022, Hajiji said Sabah Bersatu members "unanimously" decided to quit the party and back the Anwar Ibrahim government, while Bersatu forms the federal-level opposition.

“This time, God willing, we believe the people will return. I promise, as deputy president, for the sake of our future, this will not happen again,” Hamzah stressed.

Asked whether the reported “love triangle” between BN, Pakatan Harapan and Hajiji’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah will benefit PN, Hamzah insisted the federal opposition led by Bersatu is ready to take over the state administration, in the run-up to the next 16th general election.

“As I mentioned earlier, let’s look at them today - they are together but quarrelling among themselves.

“Who is the middle person? From the prime minister’s own camp.

“Married to the left, married to the right. But the left and right are not on speaking terms. This shows they are not united,” said the Perikatan Nasional deputy chairperson.

BN-Harapan ties

Yesterday, Umno president and BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared that the coalition’s alliance in Sabah will remain exclusively with Harapan, effectively shutting out GRS out of the equation.

The announcement, made in Kota Kinabalu after a closed-door meeting on Thursday night, ended speculations over whether there would be a three-way pact between BN, Harapan, and GRS.

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has consistently rejected any pre-election alliance with GRS, citing “bitter experiences” and broken promises from past collaborations.

He has, however, indicated that post-election arrangements with other political blocs, including GRS, could still be possible.

Hamzah, meanwhile, said PN has identified the coalition’s chief minister candidate, hinting that the nation’s future “depends on the youths”.

“Why must I tell you now? Sometimes reporters ask something that we will not answer until the final days,” he retorted when quizzed further, but later assured that the candidate will be a local from Sabah.

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