Malaysia

Perikatan Nasional to decide on new opposition leader on 14 March

Coalition’s Supreme Council to convene after Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin loses party membership, prompting calls for him to relinquish Dewan Rakyat role

Updated 3 months ago · Published on 03 Mar 2026 1:45PM

Perikatan Nasional to decide on new opposition leader on 14 March
The leadership question arose after reports indicated that Hamzah no longer has the locus standi to remain Opposition Leader in the Dewan Rakyat, having lost his party position - March 3, 2026

PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) will determine a successor to Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as Opposition Leader at a Supreme Council meeting scheduled for 14 March, following his removal from Bersatu.

Utusan Malaysia quoted PN deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan confirming notices had been issued to all council members for the meeting.

“PN will hold its Supreme Council meeting on Saturday, March 14, at 11am. Notices have been sent to all members,” he told reporters at Parliament today.

The leadership question arose after reports indicated that Hamzah no longer has the locus standi to remain Opposition Leader in the Dewan Rakyat, having lost his party position. Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described it as “inappropriate and embarrassing” for the Larut MP to continue in the role under the circumstances.

On 13 February, Bersatu’s Disciplinary Board terminated Hamzah’s membership, citing violations of Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution. The decision was conveyed in a notice issued by the board’s chairman, Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan.

The upcoming meeting is expected to formalise PN’s leadership transition in Parliament as the coalition moves to resolve the vacancy at the helm of the Opposition. - March 3, 2026

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