He said he is doing so with an open heart after having discussed the matter with party president Muhyiddin Yassin, Berita Harian reported.

“The president made this suggestion to avoid any clashes.

“We agreed that I would not offer myself as deputy president (in the polls). Hamzah has been asked by the grassroots and leadership to take over the post I currently hold.

“However, I still play an important role in the party’s leadership together with my colleagues. We have always prioritised our struggle for the people over political interests,” he said when met after a briefing at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu today.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin said Faizal would step down as deputy president and run for one of the three vice-president’s posts instead.

“Faizal is willing to leave his current post to give way to Hamzah in recognition of his contributions as Perikatan Nasional secretary-general and the opposition leader in Parliament,” he said in a press conference following the Bersatu convention at the Ideal Convention Centre in Selayang, Selangor.

Muhyiddin added that former Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali will be offered the secretary-general’s post given his ability and political experience.

The PN chairman had commented in a speech earlier in the day that the party polls would likely see no competition for the top posts, following negotiations among the leadership.