KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition is facing a deepening crisis as a power struggle between former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his recently ousted deputy, Hamzah Zainudin, threatens to fracture the alliance ahead of anticipated elections. The dispute has escalated into open conflict, with both leaders vying for control of the party and the broader coalition, and the Islamist party PAS positioned as a potential kingmaker.
The immediate catalyst for the current turmoil was the expulsion of Hamzah Zainudin from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) on . Hamzah, who also serves as the parliamentary opposition leader, swiftly declared Muhyiddin Yassin his “No. 1 enemy” and immediately sought support from PAS leaders, including President Hadi Awang, in Terengganu.
Hamzah claims to have the backing of 19 of Bersatu’s 25 Members of Parliament and 118 of its 168 active division chiefs, signaling a significant challenge to Muhyiddin’s authority. He and his supporters are now planning to establish a new political platform, potentially seeking to realign within the PN coalition through PAS.
PAS, Malaysia’s largest political party, has yet to formally endorse either faction. However, its response has been largely sympathetic to Hamzah, with party officials stressing they do not interfere in the internal affairs of other parties while simultaneously acknowledging the grievances of those aligned with the ousted deputy. PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man stated the party sympathized with those urging Muhyiddin to step down.
The situation is complicated by the fact that PAS needs a moderate Malay partner to realistically challenge the current government in elections expected by early , though some anticipate a poll as early as late . Analysts suggest that the Islamist party lacks broad appeal beyond its traditional strongholds and requires a wider base of support to effectively compete for power.
Muhyiddin Yassin, while remaining president of Bersatu, has acknowledged attempts to resolve the conflict internally. Following a Bersatu supreme council meeting on , he stated that “various efforts were made through meetings with those involved to find a peaceful resolution and save Bersatu,” but lamented that “certain parties continued to sabotage Bersatu to split us up.” He also revealed he had offered leadership positions to those he knew were opposed to him in an attempt to maintain party unity.
A disciplinary hearing on concluded that Hamzah had breached the party’s constitution, though the specific offense was not publicly disclosed. The fallout has seen several Bersatu leaders aligned with Hamzah either sacked or suspended throughout .
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has so far declined to comment on the internal struggles within the opposition, reportedly telling reporters, “Let them fight first.” This hands-off approach suggests a willingness to allow the opposition to weaken itself through internal conflict.
A crucial meeting is scheduled for , a long-delayed PN leadership meeting, where the replacement for Muhyiddin as coalition chairman will be decided. Muhyiddin resigned from that post on under pressure from PAS. Sources indicate that Hadi Awang is likely to be nominated as the new chairman, potentially paving the way for the reintegration of Hamzah’s faction into the coalition’s leadership.
The crisis stems from growing discontent within PAS, which began calling for a change in PN’s leadership during its annual congress in . Recent events, such as PAS assemblymen withdrawing support for their own chief minister in the northern state of Perlis and the subsequent appointment of a Bersatu assemblyman as Menteri Besar, further fueled tensions and led to accusations of betrayal against Muhyiddin.
According to Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah, a supporter of Hamzah, PAS is seeking a leader with a fresh vision for the country. “Mr Hamzah has articulated a clear vision for PN – a new national consensus to have support across Malaysia’s diverse demographics that can bring back political stability, not just political survival,” he stated.
The outcome of this power struggle will have significant implications for the future of Malaysia’s opposition and the country’s political landscape. The ability of PN to present a united front will be crucial in challenging the current government and vying for power in upcoming elections. The role of PAS as a potential mediator and power broker will be pivotal in determining the direction of the coalition and the fate of both Muhyiddin Yassin and Hamzah Zainudin.
