Hamzah’s return gives PN more moderate image, says analysts

The PAS-led opposition coalition is believed to view Hamzah as their best bet to front their GE16 campaign and 'push the moderate narrative'.

Former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin has unveiled his new party, Parti Wawasan Negara, which is expected to become a member of Perikatan Nasional.

PETALING JAYA:

Hamzah Zainudin’s return as opposition leader sets the stage for him to become the face of Perikatan Nasional’s general election campaign and win over moderate-minded voters and fencesitters, according to analysts.

The political observers said the PAS-led opposition coalition sees Hamzah as their best bet to front their GE16 campaign despite the growing dominance of PAS in the coalition.

Allthough PAS grassroots members may prefer Terengganu menteri besar and PN chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar to be the campaign poster boy, the PN leadership appears to see Hamzah as its stronger electoral asset.

Syaza Shukri.

“PAS will go for Hamzah because they want to push the moderate narrative and not have a PAS prime minister yet,” Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia told FMT.

She added that Hamzah’s return would help ease concerns among some voters about the prospect of a PAS-led federal government.

While Samsuri is often touted as prime minister material, Syaza said he lacks the combative parliamentary style that has made Hamzah an asset to the opposition.

“Out of all opposition leaders, except maybe younger PAS leaders like Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, Hamzah is perhaps the best as an opposition leader right now by way of him being loud and appearing strong,” she said.

Hamzah, who unveiled his new party Parti Wawasan Negara on Saturday, was reinstated as opposition leader just two months after relinquishing the post, while Samsuri remains PN chairman.

He launched his Reset movement shortly after being sacked from Bersatu in February, and has frequently talked up the need for a “new national consensus” and broad reforms in the country.

Bersatu, which sacked Hamzah in February, is naturally upset over his return as opposition leader. It nonetheless remains a PN component as PAS has left it to the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party to decide whether or not to leave the coalition.

A marketable face for PN

Azmi Hassan.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Hamzah’s return, barely a month after Samsuri was named his successor, reflected Hadi’s preference for the former Bersatu deputy president.

It also suggests PAS recognises the need for a leader capable of appealing to voters beyond its core support base — Malay-Muslim voters — if it hopes to make further electoral gains, said Azmi. “Hadi wants Hamzah to be the poster boy. He wants someone voters can trust.”

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Sivamurugan Pandian believed the move signalled a division of responsibilities within PN between Hamzah and Samsuri.

Hamzah would serve as the opposition’s main parliamentary tactician and coordinator, while Samsuri would play a broader strategic role in the coalition, especially for elections.

Sivamurugan Pandian.

“Nevertheless, it looks like Hamzah will be the poster boy (in GE16) because he is the opposition leader,” he said.

Sivamurugan said PAS would continue serving as PN’s organisational backbone, reinforcing its growing influence over the coalition, while pushing Bersatu into a corner.

“With this move, Bersatu is likely to face a loss of influence, leadership capital and organisational strength. Its key challenge will be preventing further defections and redefining its role within the opposition landscape.” - FMT