They are aware of his contributions to the constituency, Hamzah said.

“Such name-calling is futile. They know what I did (for the constituency),” Hamzah, who is defending the Larut seat, told reporters at the nomination centre here.

The three-term MP had quit Umno in 2018 to become an independent before joining Bersatu a year later.

He won the parliamentary seat in the last general election on a Barisan Nasional ticket.

Hamzah went on to claim that candidates and former elected representatives from rival parties were also appreciative of his contributions.

“When I meet them, they would hug me and mention what I had done for them.”

He said that those who label him a “traitor” were unaware that he had jumped ship for the sake of the people and not due to any personal interest.