As the factional fire within Bersatu continues, sacked deputy president Hamzah Zainudin’s vision to launch a new political movement could face its first test in Parliament.
The Larut MP, who so far remains as parliamentary opposition leader, has claimed the support of 19 out of 25 Bersatu MPs, led by the party’s parliamentary whip, Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee.
Bersih executive director Asraf Sharafi said while it would be "unusual" for an independent MP to be made opposition leader, there is no prohibition against the practice.
"The appointment is based on the agreement of opposition MPs.
"If they agree to retain Hamzah (above), they can simply submit his name to the Dewan Rakyat speaker," Asraf told Malaysiakini.
Apart from Bersatu, the opposition bench also comprises 43 PAS lawmakers, one from Muda, and six former Bersatu representatives who were sacked in June 2024 for failing to pledge allegiance to the party.
Following the results of the 15th general election in November 2022, Perikatan Nasional picked its then secretary-general Hamzah as the parliamentary opposition leader.
Hamzah later rose to be Bersatu deputy president in December 2024 and was subsequently appointed as a PN deputy chairperson, alongside the presidents of PAS, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP).
Showdown
However, an internal power struggle in Bersatu between Hamzah and party president Muhyiddin Yassin had led to a widening crack between the two factions, which came to its boiling point last week after Hamzah's removal.
Political analyst Syaza Shukri said Hamzah might have a good chance at retaining his opposition leader status, especially given his good relationship with PAS.
Pointing to PN's failure to decide on a new coalition chief since Muhyiddin's resignation on Jan 1, the academician believed PN also does not have another candidate to replace Hamzah in Parliament, and thus he is "safe for now".
"If no one challenges him as opposition chief from within the opposition, it shows that he basically still has the support of Bersatu and PAS MPs.
"I think PAS MPs are more than happy to back him than Muhyiddin since he is more PAS-friendly," said the International Islamic University Malaysia political science lecturer.
If this happens, Syaza added, it would prove the Larut MP's influence transcends Bersatu and shows that Muhyiddin's grip is weakening.
"Muhyiddin’s only leverage right now is that no one from PAS can come forward as the face of PN.
"But if Hamzah can be that challenge, then that’s it for Muhyiddin," she said.
Similarly, political observer Liyana Marzuki also believed the opposition leader position would be the real showdown for the power struggle between Muhyiddin and Hamzah.
She said while Hamzah’s removal may have helped Muhyiddin in consolidating control of his party, it risks weakening Bersatu's parliamentary cohesion if a significant bloc moves out.
"Whether he (Hamzah) retains the post will therefore be the clearest indication of where the real numbers lie.
"For Muhyiddin, consolidating party control may stabilise Bersatu internally, but it risks weakening parliamentary cohesion if a significant bloc moves out.
"For Hamzah, the coming period will determine whether he remains a factional leader or becomes the centre of a reconfigured opposition alignment," she said.
PAS factor
While not dismissing Hamzah's potential to retain his post, another political expert said such an outcome would only be possible with PAS "betraying" Muhyiddin and Bersatu.
This, Azizuddin Sani warned, would cause a crack within PN that could weaken the coalition.
"But everything will depend on PAS. The party might suddenly change its mind to support Muhyiddin in exchange for the opposition chief position, and if this happens, then we will have a whole new situation.
"The political dynamics in PN are quite hard to predict. So, it will depend on negotiations and agreement between parties; this will decide what shape PN will take and where Hamzah will be," said the Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturer.
Either way, he said, Hamzah and his loyalists must move fast in deciding their next move - whether to form another political platform or join an existing party.
He added that being without a party would do no good for the sacked Bersatu leaders, as it would be hard for them to retain their parliamentary and state seats.
As for the Pagoh MP, Azizuddin said Muhyiddin has proven his resilience and believed that he would survive this latest round of political turmoil, but expected him to be much weakened.
Firefighting
Bersatu disciplinary council's decision to dismiss Hamzah and 16 other party leaders and lawmakers on Feb 13 appears to have set off a domino effect.
Since the incident, Bersatu has seen a mass exodus of party grassroots leaders and members, who announced their loss of confidence in Muhyiddin.
A slew of Bersatu divisions and branches were also said to have dissolved following the departure of their office bearers.
"Bukit Gelugor Bersatu Women hereby announces the dissolution of this division with immediate effect.
"This decision was taken after taking into account the views and position of the majority of our leaders and members, who have expressed their loss of confidence in the current party leadership," it said in a media statement earlier yesterday.
According to information shared by sources aligned to Hamzah's camp, at least seven Bersatu divisions and two Bersatu wing divisions have allegedly dissolved so far.
This had sent Muhyiddin loyalists scrambling to do firefighting, including denying that party leaders at the division level have the authority to decide on dissolution.
Instead, such a decision can only be made by the Bersatu supreme council, chaired by Muhyiddin, according to Bersatu Youth information chief Harris Idaham Rashid.
A group of Bersatu Women central leaders led by its vice-chief Nolee Ashilin Radzi had also come out with a counter statement saying that they remain loyal to Muhyiddin.
This came after the wing chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who is Masjid Tanah MP, reportedly attended and gave a speech at a meeting where Hamzah rallied his supporters on Saturday.
"We wish to emphasise that our position is clear: we remain loyal to the party, uphold the institution of the president, and stand firmly behind Muhyiddin as the legitimate president elected through the party’s general assembly.
"We will also adhere steadfastly to the resolutions decided by the delegates at the last annual general assembly.
“Any attempt to weaken the leadership through open pressure, divisive narratives, or covert movements is unethical and runs counter to the spirit of the party’s struggle," said the statement issued yesterday and signed by 19 Bersatu Women top leaders and eight state leaders. - Mkini
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