A RECENT meeting between Opposition Leader and former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was aimed at fostering unity among Malaysia’s major Malay-based parties, according to Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Wan Saiful said the engagement, which has been linked to an alleged “Bangkok Move”, was part of broader efforts to pursue cooperation among dominant Malay political parties at various levels.
“Generally, our approach is to pursue unity among major Malay parties at all levels and we will meet with the appropriate parties,” he told BH.
However, he alleged that previous attempts at cooperation had been hindered by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“But the obstacle before this was Muhyiddin because he was not interested in forging cooperation with major parties in Malaysia.
“When he makes such statements, it shows he rejects efforts to unite the Malay parties,” he said.
Wan Saiful was responding to questions over whether the meeting also involved discussions about plans to elevate Hamzah to the post of Deputy Prime Minister. He said he had no knowledge of such matters.
Earlier this week, Muhyiddin, who is also MP for Pagoh, disclosed what he described as a plan by Hamzah to become Deputy Prime Minister by forming a coalition with other parties.
He further confirmed that a meeting had taken place between Hamzah and Zahid — who currently serves as Deputy Prime Minister — in connection with the purported “Bangkok Move”.
Wan Saiful, a former Bersatu information chief, said that if there were indeed plans to install Hamzah as Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin should produce evidence to substantiate the claim.
“I know about efforts to make Muhyiddin Prime Minister … if a position for him is acceptable, but when it comes to this person it is suddenly wrong?” he said.
In January, Zahid confirmed that meetings had been held with leaders from PAS and Bersatu regarding the unification of Malays through what he described as a grand collaboration.
Speaking at the recent UMNO General Assembly, he said the discussions, albeit indirect, also involved several other Malay-based political parties. - March 5, 2026
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