Politics / News

HAMZAH Zainudin may have the experience to act as a bridge between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional, but analysts say the role will be far from easy.

The former Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) deputy president was described as capable of acting as an effective intermediary between the two blocs, though structural and strategic differences remain a major hurdle.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia analyst Mazlan Ali said Barisan Nasional has its own direction and strategy, making any potential pact difficult, though not impossible, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported.

Hamzah, who was sacked from Bersatu in February amid a leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin, recently expressed confidence that he could unite “two major political coalitions” to promote stability.

His remarks were widely seen as referring to PN and BN, with Hamzah also citing his working relationships with leaders such as UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Another analyst, Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya, said Hamzah’s removal from Bersatu does not necessarily weaken his political standing, noting he appears to have won the support of a majority of the party’s MPs.

However, Tawfik described Hamzah as an “odd” choice for the role, pointing to his role at the centre of recent Bersatu turmoil and his past involvement in triggering defections from Umno to Bersatu, even as he acknowledged Hamzah’s strength in mobilising political support and managing resources.

The post BN–PN bridge role an uphill task for Hamzah, says analyst appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

FORMER UMNO youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar is not asking for a seat in the upcoming general election (GE).

Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin said Khairy set no conditions during a meeting with UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“In that meeting, I clearly heard Khairy say that he had no intention of asking or placing any demands upon his return to UMNO. Khairy also did not request to be given any seat to contest in the upcoming GE. There was no question of any application to contest,” he told Utusan Malaysia.

Last Sunday, Khairy submitted an appeal letter to Ahmad Zahid to rejoin UMNO through the Rumah Bangsa initiative.

The former health minister was expelled from UMNO in January 2023, while former UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and former UMNO Youth deputy chief Shahril Hamdan were suspended.

Megat Zulkarnain said Khairy only requested that his previous membership number be retained, adding that his return is aimed at strengthening the party and boosting public confidence ahead of the next GE.

Meanwhile, Sungai Buloh UMNO division chief Datuk Megat Firdouz Megat Junid said the Supreme Council will decide Khairy’s position in the division.

The post KJ says no request for GE seat, only seeks to retain membership number appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

by NURNABIHAH DINI

TWO former senior UMNO leaders, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin, have reportedly submitted applications to rejoin the party.

The development was confirmed by UMNO secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in a Facebook post yesterday.

Asyraf said the possible return of Hishammuddin, a former UMNO vice-president, could help strengthen the party’s “Rumah Bangsa” struggle.

Besides Hishammuddin, former UMNO Youth chief Khairy, also submitted an appeal letter on Sunday to return to the party.

Asyraf described the news as both emotional and encouraging during the final nights of Ramadhan, adding that several other former leaders who had previously contributed to the party had also submitted requests to return.

Commenting on his application, Khairy said he wished to rejoin UMNO simply as an ordinary member. He said he had not set any conditions or made any personal requests to the party.

Khairy added that at a time when Malaysia’s political landscape faces uncertainty, UMNO, which was founded to unite Malays and develop the nation, should continue to be strengthened.

He also thanked UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for receiving his visit in the spirit of “Rumah Bangsa”.

Khairy said he had formally requested that his expulsion from the party be revoked and that his original membership number be reinstated, adding that Zahid had accepted him back to what he described as the only political home he had known.

The post Hishammuddin, Khairy seek to return to UMNO appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

SUNGAI Buloh PAS chief and son-in-law of Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Zaharudin Muhammad (picture) voices support for Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar to become the next Opposition leader.

He said Ahmad Samsuri, who is also chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN), would be able to better coordinate the coalition’s parliamentary strategy, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported.

“This is about the role of Opposition leader. In the prime ministership, I remain aligned with spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin that Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (deputy president) or Datuk Idris Ahmad (VP) are more suitable.

“The Opposition leader’s role in Parliament does not affect government administration,” he said in a Facebook post.

He was responding to remarks by current Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who said he was prepared to step down if a majority of PN MPs supported the move, adding that no single party should decide the matter.

“For me, Ahmad Samsuri is the better choice for an Opposition leader because coordination is crucial.

“Otherwise, PN could make decision A in Parliament, while the Opposition leader opts for B,” Zaharudin said, comparing Hamzah with Ahmad Samsuri.

Ahmad Samsuri previously said PN would appoint a PAS MP as Opposition leader by the end of the month, after Hamzah’s position became uncertain following his expulsion from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia amid a leadership dispute with party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The post Zaharudin backs Ahmad Samsuri for Opposition leader role appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia has stressed the importance of preventing tensions in the Middle East from escalating into a wider conflict among Muslim countries.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) said this was communicated in the second round of discussion with leaders of Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Turkiye recently.

“During the discussions, we (Malaysia) also express concern because whilst the perpetrators are Israel and the supporters, the impact is felt throughout the Muslim world, particularly the Middle East, Turkiye and Azerbaijan.

“Now, because of the protracted warfare and continuous attacks, we are seeing ramifications across the world,” he said during the launch of the Mushaf Malaysia MADANI here today.

Anwar said the Iranian Foreign Minister also assured him that tensions arising from its conflicts with Israel and the United States will not escalate into skirmishes among Muslim countries.

“It is a difficult and complex situation. When a country faces this sort of sheer display of arrogance, even what I would describe as neo-imperialistic design, it is difficult to ask them simply to contain themselves,” he said.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Malaysia’s concern over the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and warned against attempts to exploit the crisis for political purposes.

Anwar stressed that unity and cooperation were necessary to sustain peace and prosperity.

“We have seen the sufferings of our brothers and sisters, not only in Iran, but across the region. Calamities are befalling the whole region, particularly affecting the poor. 

“And still, some irresponsible elements are exploiting the case and using it as a political weapon, weaponising it to attack,” he said.

On the domestic front, the Prime Minister said the situation in the Middle East had caused significant and real economic ramifications for Malaysia, including higher subsidy commitments to maintain fuel prices.

He said maintaining the current RON95 petrol price was part of the government’s efforts to ease the people’s burden, noting that Malaysia’s fuel prices remained among the lowest globally, compared with several neighbouring countries.

However, he said the current situation was imposing a substantial fiscal cost.

“It’s costing us an additional subsidy of RM2 billion a month now to maintain the price,” he said, adding that if prices rise further, the cost would increase accordingly.

Anwar said despite criticism from some quarters, the government would continue to weigh the implications carefully while prioritising the welfare of the people, particularly the poor. — BERNAMA

The post PM Anwar: Malaysia urges restraint, prevent Middle East tensions from escalating into wider Muslim countries appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

PENANG Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid (picture) and the State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) have threatened legal action against parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin and several Penang PAS leaders over alleged defamatory statements.

The move follows claims made by Badrul Hisham, better known as Chegubard and three PAS leaders alleging that the council had misappropriated funds and abused their power.

Mohamad and MAINPP have issued letters of demand (LOD) to Badrul Hisham as well as Penang PAS information chief Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, youth deputy chief Muhammad Hafiz Alias and Penang assemblyman Mohd Yusni Mat Piah.

Lawyer Habib Rahman Seeni Mohideen, representing Mohamad and the council, said the four individuals have been given seven days to issue a public apology and cease spreading the allegations, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported.

“We have given them seven days from today to comply, failing which we will initiate court proceedings,” he said. Mohamad, who also serves as MAINPP president, denied the allegations of misappropriation and abuse of power, describing them as malicious and damaging to the council’s reputation.

Earlier this month, Mohamad was summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in George Town to assist in a probe into the alleged abuse of zakat funds. The anti-graft agency is probing claims that zakat funds were allegedly used by a senior state government official to purchase land, and several members of the state Islamic Religious Council, the state zakat board and officers from the zakat centre have also had their statements recorded.

Mohamad said part of the zakat funds in question had been used to settle the outstanding mortgage of a recipient who had passed away, with the payment made directly to the loan account registered under the recipient’s wife. He also clarified that three land lots in Seberang Perai Selatan, covering 14.69 acres (5.94 ha) and valued at RM9.86 million, were purchased using tawaquf funds to strengthen Muslim land ownership and support those in need, with the purchase price based on current market value determined by the Valuation and Property Services Department.

The post Penang Deputy Chief Minister, Islamic council threaten legal action over defamation claims appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

JOHOR BAHRU — Amid growing speculation that the Johor state election could be called earlier than expected, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (picture) said the matter is not his priority at the moment.

Instead, the Johor UMNO chief said his main focus remains on serving the people and addressing their needs.

The Machap state assemblyman noted that the current state administration’s term will only end in April 2027.

“I still have more than a year before the term matures. My focus is to continue serving the people. We do not work because of elections; we work because it is our responsibility and mandate from the people.

“So the priority is to continue to serve the people. As long as we are still the government of the day, that will always be our priority,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama led by editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj at Saujana, the Johor Menteri Besar’s Official Residence, recently.

Speculation about the possibility of a state election being called this year has intensified, particularly after several political parties announced plans to contest a number of seats.

Recently, PKR and Amanah said they had identified 28 and 20 seats, respectively, for their candidates to contest in the upcoming polls.

In addition, Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) has established four strategic committees, including Johor MADANI, the Seat Distribution Committee, the Issues and Communications Committee, and the Federal Ministers Coordination Committee.

Earlier, Johor UMNO deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the party has yet to make any decision on the form of cooperation or seat distribution for the next state election.

He said no official negotiations have taken place at either the state or federal level on the matter so far.

In the last state election, Barisan Nasional secured a two-thirds majority by winning 40 of the 56 seats contested, while PH won 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional (PN) three seats and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) one seat.

Onn Hafiz won the Machap seat with a majority of 6,543 votes, defeating Azlisham Azahar of PN, R Sangaran of MUDA and Sharuddin Md Salleh of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air. — BERNAMA

The post Serving the people remains Onn Hafiz’s priority amid early state poll speculation appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)’s suspension of VP Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee and women chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin is being viewed as a tactical move against former deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s faction, analysts said.

The party suspended the two leaders for violating the party’s constitution and code of conduct.

The move comes amid tensions with former deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, whose camp the suspensions are seen as targeting, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported.

“If expelled, such MPs would be free to retain their seats. That would be a loss for Bersatu as it would make it easier for them to join a new party led by Hamzah,” said International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri, noting that the party risked losing the Beluran and Masjid Tanah seats under the anti-party hopping law if the duo had been expelled.

Earlier, former Prime Minister (PM) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Kiandee’s actions were less serious than Hamzah’s, who was expelled on Feb 13.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)’s Perdana Centre Assoc Prof Mazlan Ali called the suspension surprising, adding, “The public will see this as a form of pressure by Muhyiddin against his opponents within the party.”

Analysts warn the move highlights internal divisions and could backfire by giving Hamzah a political advantage.

Kiandee and Mas Ermieyati have been stripped of all positions and barred from speaking on behalf of Bersatu for two party election cycles.

The post Bersatu suspensions seen as move to contain Hamzah’s camp, analyst appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.