However, he remained coy on when the takeover would happen, saying discussions on “how to take over” were still being held, and that it was a complex matter.

“It involves so many other things, that’s why we are still discussing. There are some technicalities, because it involves the party’s constitution and so on,” he told reporters when met in Parliament.

Parti Keluarga Malaysia founder Khairi Jaya earlier said that the way was being paved for Hamzah to lead the party, and that the former Bersatu deputy president was “90% confirmed” to be taking over.

Khairi said after Hamzah and others became members, an internal election would be held to allow him to be elected as party president, Berita Harian reported.

Hamzah was sacked from Bersatu at the height of a bitter leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin. Five other MPs have also been sacked from Bersatu since October, all of whom are aligned with Hamzah.