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DATUK Seri Hamzah Zainudin has emerged as a central figure of political attention within Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and beyond, as he comes under growing internal pressure that has cast doubt over his future as the party’s deputy president and as leader of the opposition.
The developments follow a move by Bersatu’s Disciplinary Board to issue a second notice summoning Hamzah to provide an explanation in relation to several disciplinary complaints lodged against him, signalling that the party’s internal process has entered a critical phase.
According to sources, four separate complaints have been filed, including allegations that Hamzah failed to prevent statements deemed damaging to the image of party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The Larut member of parliament is also accused of being involved in negotiations without an official mandate, raising concerns among the party’s top leadership.
The notice, dated Feb 6, states that failure to attend the scheduled session would allow the Disciplinary Board to reach a final decision in his absence, underscoring the seriousness of the proceedings and the possibility of severe sanctions.
The situation has sparked widespread debate among politicians and political observers, particularly over the prospect of Hamzah being expelled from Bersatu.
Former party leader Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he would not be surprised if Hamzah were dismissed through the disciplinary process, noting that there had previously been calls from supporters of the party president to remove Hamzah and that other leaders had already been expelled using similar mechanisms.
Saifuddin also questioned whether the Disciplinary Board was genuinely exercising its role in a fair and impartial manner, or whether it was being used as a tool to suppress dissent within the party.
He warned that such extraordinary measures could reflect deeper internal tensions within Bersatu and damage the party’s public image at a time when voters are focused on broader national issues.
A Political Risk
Political analysts see the episode as emblematic of a power struggle within Bersatu between factions seeking to preserve Muhyiddin’s leadership and those associated with Hamzah, who hold differing views on the party’s direction ahead of the 16th General Election.
Beyond Hamzah’s personal fate, the dispute has raised questions about the cohesion of Bersatu’s party machinery and its readiness to face future political challenges.
Adding to the concern, political analyst Dr Mohamad Hafis Amat Simin described the disciplinary investigation into Hamzah, linked to turmoil at the party’s annual general assembly, as the most critical test yet of Bersatu’s leadership stability and strategic direction.
He said Hamzah could face severe action if the probe finds breaches of party discipline or conduct that could be interpreted as challenging Muhyiddin’s authority.
“In any political party, disruptions at an assembly and open attacks on the president are serious matters. If proven, firm action, including expulsion, would not be unusual.
“However, such an expulsion would also carry major risks for Bersatu itself, particularly in terms of internal fragmentation and the loss of grassroots support,” he told Sinar Harian.
Dr Mohamad Hafis warned that given Hamzah’s influence within Bersatu and the broader Perikatan Nasional coalition, especially in relation to PAS, any drastic move could trigger prolonged instability among coalition partners.
“An expulsion would not only affect Bersatu but could also weaken PN as a whole and undermine the opposition’s role in Parliament and in the next general election.
“Hamzah’s position as opposition leader makes this issue even more sensitive, because any sudden change would give a political advantage to the Madani government,” he said.
He added that if Hamzah were removed, Bersatu could face open internal conflict, declining morale among its members and a failure to maintain focus on voters’ concerns ahead of the 16th General Election, potentially eroding public confidence in PN as a credible alternative government. - February 9, 2026
