In a dramatic turn that could reshape Malaysia’s opposition landscape, former Bersatu deputy president Dato' Seri Hamzah Zainudin has openly declared war on party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, branding himself the latter’s “number one enemy” after being sacked by the party’s disciplinary board.
Speaking before more than 500 supporters at the Persatuan Alumni Universiti Malaya Clubhouse, Hamzah cut a defiant figure. Once Muhyiddin’s most loyal ally, he now questions the very spirit haunting the party.
“What ‘ghost’ is haunting this party? I was once his number one supporter. Today, I want to say that I am his number one enemy.”
The expulsion - which also saw 16 other leaders aligned with Hamzah removed - marks the climax of a deepening power struggle within Bersatu. The party’s secretary-general, Dato' Seri Azmin Ali, said the disciplinary board found Hamzah had violated Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution, including allegations of sabotaging the 2025 annual general assembly and undermining leadership.
Hamzah, who missed his disciplinary hearing due to prior commitments in Sydney, has refused to appeal. Instead, he is charting a new course.
“I want to see a better future. We need a reset. We want to build this nation,” he declared, calling for a “new national consensus for all races.”
A Crack in Perikatan Nasional?
The implications extend far beyond Bersatu’s internal politics. Analysts warn that Hamzah’s removal could strain ties within Perikatan Nasional (PN), particularly with PAS, which has long been seen as more comfortable working with him than with Muhyiddin.
A recent photograph posted by Hamzah at Masjid Rusila in Marang - alongside PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, vice-president Dato' Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, and secretary-general Dato' Seri Takiyuddin Hassan - has fuelled speculation of a new alignment.
Although PAS leaders insist they are not interfering in Bersatu’s internal crisis, subtle signals suggest discomfort. PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s Facebook post likening the situation to “noisy neighbours” and treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad’s metaphor of a “sinking ship” speak volumes without naming names.
Political observers believe PAS may now reconsider its long-term partnership strategy. With 43 seats in Parliament, PAS holds significant leverage in PN. The coalition’s stability could hinge on whether Muhyiddin can repair trust - or whether Hamzah emerges as the nucleus of a new opposition bloc.
Opposition Leader in Limbo
The immediate question is whether Hamzah will remain Opposition Leader. PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed that PN will soon convene to discuss the matter with opposition MPs.
Hamzah claims to have the backing of 18 out of Bersatu’s 25 MPs. If accurate, that signals not merely dissent - but a potential fracture capable of splitting the party’s parliamentary strength.
When asked if he would return to Umno or form a new party, Hamzah left the door open.
“I am now a free man,” he said. “I may not be the head of this struggle, but I am the captain for now.” That statement alone suggests ambition beyond mere survival.
A Battle That Could Redraw the Opposition Map
This confrontation is no longer about personality clashes. It is about control, legitimacy, and the future direction of Malaysia’s opposition.
Muhyiddin may have consolidated party machinery. But Hamzah appears determined to rally moral and parliamentary support. If PAS shifts even subtly toward Hamzah’s camp, Bersatu’s internal purge could morph into a coalition-wide reckoning.
In Malaysian politics, loyalty can turn into rivalry overnight. The question now is whether this is the beginning of Bersatu’s renewal - or the start of its unraveling.
By: Kpost
Information Source:
DailyExpress , Fmt , Fmt
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