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FORMER Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainuddin and several Members of Parliament expelled from Malaysian United Indigenous Party are unlikely to join Malaysian Islamic Party, according to party sources, but are instead expected to establish a new political party aligned with the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
The group is said to favour forming a fresh platform while continuing cooperation with PAS under the banner of Perikatan Nasional.
“The possibility of them joining PAS is very slim. The plan is to form a new party and remain aligned with PAS within PN,” a source told Berita Harian.
The source added that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is now viewed by the faction as no longer relevant to the party’s future direction.
“If he can take such action against Hamzah, who has contributed significantly to Bersatu’s success, there is no guarantee he would not do the same to other leaders,” the source said.
The group reportedly believes a new political vehicle is necessary to safeguard leaders who wish to continue serving under PN without fear of disciplinary action.
The development follows the expulsion last Friday of 17 Bersatu leaders, including Hamzah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Larut.
Among those dismissed by the party’s disciplinary board were Supreme Leadership Council member and Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, as well as Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin, a party council member and Sungai Manik state assemblyman.
Others expelled include Padang Rengas MP Azahari Hasan, Bemban assemblyman and party council member Mohd Yadzil Yaakub, and Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob.
The disciplinary action also extended to several division-level leaders, among them Sabah Bersatu secretary and Libaran division chief Yunus Nurdin; Datuk Abdul Aziz of Dungun; Mohd Hassundi Hamzah of Larut; Ahmad Nasir Mid of Selayang; Ahmad Ishak of Gopeng; Kamaruddin Majid of Teluk Intan; and Mohd Yunus Mohd Yusof of Tapah.
The expulsions come amid escalating internal tensions within Bersatu, following reports that the disciplinary board had acted against Hamzah for allegedly breaching party regulations under Clause 9.1.4 of its constitution. - February 17, 2026
