Bersatu Rifts Deepen as Division Chief Questions Muhyiddin’s Stance on Calls for Hamzah to Step Aside

Internal tensions within Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia intensified on 3 February 2026 after a division leader publicly questioned whether party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin endorsed demands for the resignation of his deputy, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

Tangga Batu Bersatu chief Ramlan Meon raised concerns over remarks made by party information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, who had openly argued that Hamzah should relinquish his position. Ramlan said the statement appeared to have been made without the endorsement of the party’s Supreme Council and risked projecting a misleading image of Bersatu’s official position.

According to Ramlan, the role of the information chief was to communicate agreed party decisions rather than launch public attacks against senior leaders. He argued that Tun Faisal’s comments crossed a disciplinary line and should be reviewed by the party’s disciplinary board, warning that such conduct could further damage Bersatu’s public standing. Ramlan also suggested that the controversy reflected poorly on Muhyiddin himself, as Tun Faisal was a presidential appointee.

The dispute followed Tun Faisal’s response to calls by Supreme Council member Yunus Nurdin, who had urged Muhyiddin to step down amid ongoing internal disagreements. On 3 February 2026, Tun Faisal rejected that proposal and instead asserted that responsibility lay with Hamzah, citing alleged shortcomings in leadership performance.

Tun Faisal pointed to Bersatu’s poor showing in the Sabah state election held in November 2025, where the party failed to secure any seats while Hamzah served as election director. He also accused the opposition leader of being unable to manage his supporters, claiming repeated breaches of party discipline and constitutional rules under Hamzah’s watch.

In addition, Tun Faisal defended Muhyiddin against criticism over discussions with PAS regarding the Perikatan Nasional chairmanship. He maintained that talks with coalition partners were still at the proposal stage and had not resulted in any final or binding decisions.

Responding to Ramlan’s criticism, Tun Faisal cautioned party members against applying double standards. He argued that while some within Bersatu were quick to call for the president’s resignation following electoral setbacks, they reacted negatively when similar accountability was suggested for the deputy president.

Tun Faisal urged members to reflect on their own conduct and past decisions before directing blame at others, warning that selective criticism would only deepen divisions. The exchange underscored growing strains within Bersatu’s leadership, raising questions over unity and direction as the party grapples with internal discipline and its role within the broader Perikatan Nasional coalition.

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