Hamzah to return as opposition leader, says Hadi

PETALING JAYA: Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin will return as the opposition leader just two months after relinquishing the post, says PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Speaking at the Reset convention in Tanah Merah, Kelantan, Hadi said PAS had sought the views of its MPs as well as the MPs aligned with Hamzah, including 13 who are still with Bersatu.

“We sought the views of (other) MPs, not just PAS. Therefore, PAS has agreed to appoint Hamzah as the opposition leader.

“PAS has also decided to maintain Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the Perikatan Nasional chairman,” he said.

Samsuri, a PAS vice-president, took over the PN chairmanship in February after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down from the post.

The Terengganu menteri besar succeeded Hamzah as the opposition leader last month.

Hadi’s announcement today comes after PAS ended its political cooperation with Bersatu on Monday. However, both parties remain components of PN.

Following the termination of their alliance, some Bersatu leaders have called for Muhyiddin to be reappointed as the PN chairman.

Hadi also said PAS will announce the entrance of several senior politicians to the party later tonight in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

He said they comprised senior leaders of other parties, former ministers, former state executive councillors as well as NGO leaders and unionists.

“These will be some shocking decisions. We will initiate a change. A change that will mobilise our machinery towards catalysing change to save our country,” he said.