In September, Hamzah sought to reassure Bersatu members of his loyalty to Muhyiddin, following the circulation of a poison-pen letter accusing him of fabricating claims that Muhyiddin had promised to hand over the party presidency.
The letter also described Hamzah, the opposition leader, as the “enemy within” for defying the party’s 2024 general assembly decision that reaffirmed Muhyiddin as president.
Former Ipoh Timur Bersatu division chief Fadhli Ismail claimed last month that Muhyiddin visited Mahathir at his home to seek advice about sacking Hamzah, with the meeting also allegedly attended by Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
Speaking to FMT, Mahathir said that no such meeting took place.
“No, Muhyiddin did not come to see me asking me (for advice on whether) to sack Hamzah. Not at all,” said Mahathir.
The former Bersatu chairman stressed that he was against factionalism as it would be detrimental to his overarching goal of Malay unity.
He said he did not want to distinguish between groups loyal to either Muhyiddin or Hamzah, pointing out that “they are all Malays”.
Mahathir also said that both Muhyiddin and Hamzah share his view about the importance of strengthening Malay unity.
“If we are to achieve Malay unity, you have to accept followers of both Hamzah or Muhyiddin, because we only consider them as Malays… not as Hamzah’s followers or Muhyiddin’s followers.
“They (Muhyiddin and Hamzah) listen to me. They believe in unity. They believe that unity will give us strength, will enable us to win elections. On the other hand, both of them think in terms of their own future.
“Because Muhyiddin feels that if he could get the support of the majority under the big umbrella, then he would win and become the prime minister. But everybody can become a prime minister. We should not focus only on Muhyiddin or Hamzah.”
During Bersatu’s general assembly in September, Muhyiddin revealed that certain quarters were collecting signatures to oust him, prompting some delegates to call for him to step down.
In his winding-up speech the next day, Hamzah dismissed claims that he had tried to undermine Muhyiddin and pledged his full support to the president. Hamzah also downplayed the commotion during Muhyiddin’s keynote speech.
The worsening strife in the party has seen Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan sacked and Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal suspended.
Analysts say that Bersatu’s growing internal turmoil could severely weaken the party ahead of the next general election.