Ties with PAS, grassroots concerns keep Hamzah from Umno, say analysts

 However, Syaza Shukri says that some form of cooperation between the ex-Bersatu deputy president, PAS and Umno is not out of the question.

Hamzah Zainudin said he would not rejoin Umno, despite the party’s willingness to accept former members without any conditions.

PETALING JAYA:

 Analysts believe that Hamzah Zainudin will not return to Umno, citing his close ties with PAS and concerns among the party’s grassroots members.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said Hamzah, who maintains close relations with the Islamic party, was seen as a key figure in Perikatan Nasional (PN).

She said a return to Umno could risk undermining the trust of Hamzah’s political allies.

“Even though Umno has opened its doors, the decision requires careful consideration on Hamzah’s part,” she told FMT.

Yesterday, Hamzah announced that he would not rejoin Umno, despite the party’s willingness to accept former members without any conditions.

Analysts contacted by FMT had predicted this outcome, even after former minister Khairy Jamaluddin suggested last Saturday that Umno’s move to welcome back former members might be aimed at bringing Hamzah back to the fold.

Hamzah was sacked from Bersatu on Feb 13 at the height of a leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Umno’s grassroots were unlikely to accept Hamzah’s faction or other groups perceived as having betrayed the party.

He said Hamzah might need to collaborate with Umno through the proposed “Rumah Bangsa” platform or a new political party.

Hamzah also said yesterday that Umno should be among the parties involved in the “Reset” agenda he is advocating.

New party as middle ground?

Syaza said forming a new party could serve as a middle-ground solution for Hamzah, but would require substantial financial resources, strong political machinery, and support that is not guaranteed.

However, she said some form of cooperation between Hamzah, PAS, and Umno was not impossible.

“Collaboration doesn’t necessarily require party membership. It could take the form of election alliances, parliamentary cooperation, or a new political platform,” she said.

Hamzah is reportedly set to join and take over Parti Keluarga Malaysia.

PAS has said that it will not rush decisions on the role of opposition leader in Parliament, allowing Hamzah to retain the position even though PN’s Supreme Council agreed that PAS should assume the role.

PAS currently chairs PN, holding 43 of the coalition’s 62 parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat. - FMT