Hamzah says 'no' to Umno, pledges to assist PN
Alyaa Alhadjri
Published: Mar 10, 2026 7:00 AM
Updated: 10:51 AM
Sacked Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin has indicated that he will proceed with plans to be a part of a new political entity, rather than accept an invitation to return to Umno.
While still coy on his exact plans, the parliamentary opposition leader last night hosted a breaking fast gathering attended by all Perikatan Nasional component party leaders and others, including Berjasa president Zamani Ibrahim, Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir, and Parti Keluarga Malaysia founder Khairi Jaya.
Apart from Gerakan president Dominic Lau and Malaysian Indian People's Party president P Punithan, also seated at the main table with Hamzah was MIC president SA Vigneswaran, whose party was previously speculated to exit BN and join PN.
PAS was represented by its central committee member, Pendang MP Awang Hashim.
Met by reporters later, Hamzah (above) said the gathering was held to strengthen ties.
“Strengthening these ties creates the feeling that I do not disregard any party, including Umno.
“But if the question is whether I will join Umno, no. As you can see just now, many parties are with me. So I will see how things develop for the future of the people.
“There is no need to join (Umno),” said Hamzah when quizzed on Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s remarks that all former members are welcome to rejoin the party under his “Rumah Bangsa” vision.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre)
Before joining Bersatu, Hamzah was among Umno lawmakers who declared a loss of confidence in Zahid’s leadership and quit the party on Dec 14, 2018.
‘100pct support to PN’
On whether MIC still intended to join PN, Hamzah said the question should be posed to Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the coalition’s new chairperson.
“I am not affiliated with any party, so if you ask about that, I don’t know.
“What I can say is that I give my 100 percent support to PN,” he stressed.
Before joining Bersatu, Hamzah was among Umno lawmakers who declared a loss of confidence in Zahid’s leadership and quit the party on Dec 14, 2018.
‘100pct support to PN’
On whether MIC still intended to join PN, Hamzah said the question should be posed to Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the coalition’s new chairperson.
“I am not affiliated with any party, so if you ask about that, I don’t know.
“What I can say is that I give my 100 percent support to PN,” he stressed.
PN chairperson Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar
Previously, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin reportedly said he would block any attempts by Hamzah’s new party to join PN, as he accused the Larut MP of being “untrustworthy”.
Since his sacking, Hamzah has largely remained silent on his next political move, but last week he reportedly hinted at a potential takeover of the yet-to-be-registered Parti Keluarga Malaysia.
The purported takeover was revealed after Berita Harian reported its founder as claiming that the move is “almost 90 percent certain” based on recent discussions with Hamzah and Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Previously, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin reportedly said he would block any attempts by Hamzah’s new party to join PN, as he accused the Larut MP of being “untrustworthy”.
Since his sacking, Hamzah has largely remained silent on his next political move, but last week he reportedly hinted at a potential takeover of the yet-to-be-registered Parti Keluarga Malaysia.
The purported takeover was revealed after Berita Harian reported its founder as claiming that the move is “almost 90 percent certain” based on recent discussions with Hamzah and Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan
Hamzah said the discussions require detailed consideration.
“I don’t want anything to be left out. That’s why we are taking time. For example, when they formed the party, perhaps they wanted to do it quickly.
“So I feel there are several things that do not align with my nature. That is why I need time,” he said.
“I think there will be enough time. As soon as possible. That means maybe after Raya, before Raya - it depends,” he added when quizzed on preparations to face looming elections, including registering a new political party.
‘Just sack them’
Last night’s function held at an event hall in Putrajaya also saw the attendance of a line-up of sacked Bersatu leaders and lawmakers, and those awaiting disciplinary actions, including Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee and Bersatu Women chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Hamzah said the discussions require detailed consideration.
“I don’t want anything to be left out. That’s why we are taking time. For example, when they formed the party, perhaps they wanted to do it quickly.
“So I feel there are several things that do not align with my nature. That is why I need time,” he said.
“I think there will be enough time. As soon as possible. That means maybe after Raya, before Raya - it depends,” he added when quizzed on preparations to face looming elections, including registering a new political party.
‘Just sack them’
Last night’s function held at an event hall in Putrajaya also saw the attendance of a line-up of sacked Bersatu leaders and lawmakers, and those awaiting disciplinary actions, including Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee and Bersatu Women chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Bersatu veep Ronald Kiandee
Hamzah, in a swipe at Bersatu leaders aligned with Muhyiddin, said they should just proceed with sacking his supporters so that they could move on.
Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz had previously insisted that the party divisions remain intact despite mass resignations, and new office bearers will replace those who left.
Hamzah, in a swipe at Bersatu leaders aligned with Muhyiddin, said they should just proceed with sacking his supporters so that they could move on.
Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz had previously insisted that the party divisions remain intact despite mass resignations, and new office bearers will replace those who left.
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