Hamzah Zainudin Retains Majority Support, Says Saifuddin as Opposition Leader Debate Continues
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin should remain Malaysia’s Opposition Leader as he continues to command the support of a substantial majority of opposition lawmakers, according to Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
Saifuddin said recent remarks by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang supporting Hamzah’s continued leadership should not be interpreted as sidelining Perikatan Nasional (PN), but rather as reflecting the political reality within the opposition bloc.
He argued that PAS, as the party holding the largest number of parliamentary seats within the opposition, has every right to express its views on who should lead the bloc in Parliament.
“PAS has consistently supported Hamzah as Opposition Leader from the very beginning and that position remains unchanged, even after his departure from Bersatu.
“Today, 43 PAS Members of Parliament and another 19 MPs continue to support Hamzah remaining as Opposition Leader.
“That means close to 80 per cent of opposition lawmakers are still behind him,” Saifuddin said in a statement.
He noted that the political landscape had shifted following PAS’ decision to sever political ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), but stressed that the development should not undermine a leader who still enjoys overwhelming backing from fellow opposition representatives.
According to Saifuddin, democratic principles require leadership decisions to be based on numbers and majority support rather than political narratives or public speculation.
“In any parliamentary democracy, the legitimacy of an Opposition Leader comes from the confidence of Members of Parliament.
“As long as Hamzah continues to enjoy majority support, it is only logical and reasonable that he remains in the position,” he said.
Saifuddin also challenged critics who accused PAS of acting unilaterally, asking them to identify an alternative candidate capable of securing broader support than Hamzah.
He argued that none of the criticisms directed at Abdul Hadi had addressed the central issue, namely whether Hamzah still commands majority backing among opposition MPs.
“The issue is not whether PAS has sidelined PN.
“The real question is whether the majority of opposition MPs still support Hamzah as Opposition Leader.
“Based on the numbers available, the answer is clearly yes,” he said.
Saifuddin further dismissed claims that Abdul Hadi’s position signalled the rise of a so-called ‘mullah rule’ should PAS eventually form or join the federal government.
He described such accusations as recycled political rhetoric aimed at creating fear and suspicion among voters.
“These are old narratives designed to provoke anxiety about PAS and the opposition.
“They do not reflect the actual issue at hand, which is leadership legitimacy based on democratic support,” he added.
The debate over the Opposition Leader’s position intensified after PAS officially ended its political cooperation with Bersatu, sparking speculation over the future structure of the opposition coalition.
Observers believe the latest developments could reshape alliances ahead of the 16th General Election, with questions emerging over how opposition parties will reorganise themselves moving forward.
Despite the uncertainty, Saifuddin insisted that leadership stability remains essential for the opposition to perform its role effectively.
He said the opposition should focus on holding the government accountable and representing public concerns instead of becoming entangled in prolonged internal disputes.
For now, he maintained, Hamzah remains the leader who enjoys the confidence of the majority of opposition lawmakers, making him the natural choice to continue serving as Opposition Leader in Parliament.
