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INTERNAL divisions within Malaysia’s opposition bloc have deepened after a senior leader from Bersatu urged Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and his faction to abandon Perikatan Nasional and instead align themselves with an UMNO-led political platform.
Bersatu Chief Information Officer Datuk Tun Faisal Abdul Aziz suggested that Hamzah’s camp should move on from the current opposition coalition and consider joining initiatives spearheaded by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, UMNO president and Barisan Nasional chairman.
“Forget Perikatan Nasional, just ‘move on’. It would be better to join Rumah Bangsa initiated by UMNO President Ahmad Zahid. There is no point in the Bangkok Move (referring to meetings involving UMNO and opposition leaders).
“You can bring along all the ‘SD Gang’ (those who have sworn allegiance with statutory declarations previously) and existing supporters. Join an established party, for example, one that is willing to accept members through Rumah Bangsa.
“If Zahid is sincere, I urge him to allow all State Assembly members and Parliamentarians from the SD Gang to contest in their current seats, including the Larut Parliament seat in the 16th General Election,” he said in a Facebook post.
Faisal’s remarks follow reports that a new political party linked to Hamzah may seek to join Perikatan Nasional as a component member, a move that could further complicate the coalition’s internal dynamics.
Currently, Perikatan Nasional comprises Bersatu, PAS, GERAKAN and MIPP.
Hamzah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Larut, was previously expelled from Bersatu for allegedly breaching party rules following criticism of party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and claims he attempted to unseat him.
Despite ruling out a return to UMNO earlier, Hamzah has indicated openness to working with any political party in the interest of the public, with his current focus on strengthening cooperation through a “Reset” agenda aimed at national recovery. - April 2, 2026