Hamzah: Zahid wanted his cases resolved as a term for Sabah pact in 2020
Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin claims that he was once told “to resolve” Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s cases to secure Barisan Nasional’s support to appoint Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as Sabah chief minister in 2020.
Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has claimed that he was once told “to resolve” Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s cases to secure Barisan Nasional’s support to appoint Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as Sabah chief minister in 2020.
He claimed that after Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, which comprised Bersatu, Barisan Nasional and other local parties, won the state election, he was met by representatives of the Umno president, who is also BN chairman.
“Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (then Umno secretary-general) and Tan Sri Annuar Musa (then Umno information chief) came to see me to inform that they had spoken to Zahid and had agreed to appointing Hajiji as chief minister, while Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin would be made deputy chief minister.
“They also expressed desire for Umno to be given four out of six slots for state assemblymen by appointment, but I told them we would have to discuss this further since there were other parties to consider as well,” Hamzah said during his speech at the “Himpunan Munajat Perdana” event here yesterday evening.
Present were Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad and caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Hamzah further claimed that after the duo left, he got a call from Annuar to inform him that Zahid had made an about-turn and was insisting that Bung Moktar be appointed chief minister.
“So, I waited until 3am for an update and at 6am, a close friend of Zahid contacted me.
“He said ‘Brother, yes can proceed to appoint Hajiji (as CM) but on one condition, resolve Umno president’s cases’,” Hamzah said.
He also said it was the same pact that was agreed upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Zahid to form the unity government following the 15th General Election (GE15) last November.
“Hence, the agreement between Anwar and Zahid was for his cases to be resolved.”
Hamzah said he was later informed that two BN components – MIC and MCA – were not consulted before Zahid sent a letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to support Anwar’s appointment as the 10th prime minister.
“Recently, I met MIC president (Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran) together with MCA president (Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong).
“I asked them about the letter that Zahid had sent to the King to inform that Anwar had BN’s support. I asked them whether they were consulted?
“They told me that there was never a decision by BN to support Anwar as what Zahid’s letter had presented to the Council of Rulers.”
However, the Larut member of parliament and Opposition Leader said that since the Council of Rulers and the King had decided on the prime minister’s appointment, PN accepted the decision.
“We always support and uphold the sovereignty of the rulers. Sanusi would never disturb the Malay rulers.
“We are just against Anwar, Rafizi (Ramli) and Saifuddin (Nasution Ismail),” he added.
Hamzah later urged voters in Kedah and the other five states to make good use of the upcoming elections to send a referendum to the unity government that they do not support it.
