Experts warn the internal rift between Bersatu’s top leaders has no easy fix and risks destabilising the Perikatan Nasional coalition ahead of GE16.
PETALING JAYA: Political tension within Bersatu shows no sign of easing as the power struggle between party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who is reportedly facing disciplinary action, casts doubt on party cohesion and the stability of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun described the standoff as one with no easy solution.
“As Hamzah looks keen to climb the party ladder one step further and Muhyiddin appears to cling to the presidency, it goes logically that one faction will have to be purged from the party power structure.
“But their hold on the party machinery is so evenly matched that any attempt to paper over their differences would be fragile at best.”
However, he suggested that Bersatu’s public infighting may not seriously dent its political appeal.
“Nowadays, most parties across the political divide are rife with internal or intra-coalition power struggles and strangely, it does not quite affect their political appeal as perhaps these negative happenings cancel each other out.”
Pressure on Muhyiddin is mounting amid rumours of potential disciplinary action against Hamzah.
The cracks within Bersatu are no longer subtle. Instead, they are now glaring headlines that could affect party morale and public perception.
Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan stressed the urgency for decisive action.
“Muhyiddin has no other choice. He needs to suspend or terminate not only Hamzah, but also his supporters within Bersatu because it looks like Muhyiddin has lost control of the party.”
He pointed to broader implications for PN, citing controversies in Perlis and the botched PN chairmanship reshuffle.
“The respect Muhyiddin once had is gone, not only within Bersatu, but also from its ally PAS. The only supporters left are Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.”
He warned that leaving Hamzah’s faction unchecked could destabilise party hierarchy and coalition credibility.
“Muhyiddin needs to resolve this as soon as possible because it affects PN.
“It affects PAS in terms of confidence from their own supporters, and more so from those who want to support PN but do not belong to either Bersatu or PAS.”
He also highlighted the stakes ahead of the 16th general election (GE16).
“This internal bickering is hurting Bersatu, PAS and PN as a whole. They need to resolve it before GE16, but more importantly, they need to resolve it immediately.
“The first step is probably to remove all of Hamzah’s supporters. Politics is brutal and you need to be brutal to control your party.”
Recently, Hamzah was reportedly summoned before the party’s disciplinary board over allegations that he attempted to disrupt the 2025 annual general assembly and undermine party leadership.
Over the weekend, several top Bersatu leaders, including deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, visited Muhyiddin’s residence for a special meeting.
Sources said it was a long-planned, informal gathering, not linked to Hamzah’s rumoured resignation, and attendees reportedly agreed that any disciplinary action against party MPs should follow the party constitution and be handled by its disciplinary board.
