Hamzah says new party only underwent name change

KUALA LUMPUR: Hamzah Zainudin said questions surrounding the legitimacy of his new party, Parti Wawasan Negara, should not arise as it had only undergone a name change.

“I only took over an existing party and changed its name,” the Larut MP told reporters after attending a meeting with opposition MPs here tonight.

Hamzah launched Wawasan on June 13 and revealed that the name had been given by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal had previously revealed that Hamzah would take over an existing party.

Yesterday, Registrar of Societies (RoS) director-general Zulfikar Ahmad said it has yet to receive any official application for the formation of a new political party using the name Parti Wawasan Negara.

On Sunday, Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak claimed that it had already approved amendments to change its name to Parti Wawasan Rakyat, potentially clashing with Hamzah’s Wawasan.

Sedar president Affendi Jeman urged RoS to address the issue, since the party officially applied to change its name on April 8.

Separately, Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid told reporters tonight’s meeting did not discuss Bersatu’s expulsion from Perikatan Nasional.

“We discussed the opposition leader’s post (and) our direction for the state polls. We agreed that Hamzah should be retained as the opposition leader,” he said.

Bersatu’s status in the opposition coalition has come into question after PAS decided to sever ties with the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party.

Last night, Muhyiddin said Bersatu will remain in PN, citing the coalition’s reputation as a factor behind its decision.

Other opposition MPs said the meeting revolved around PN’s campaign for the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

Apart from Hamzah and Rosol, the other opposition MPs who attended tonight’s meeting were Ronald Kiandee (Beluran), Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah) and Abdul Khalib Abdullah (Rompin).