PERSONALLY and politically, the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) has nothing against Parti Wawasan Negara founder Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin being appointed as the opposition leader (once again).
The Larut MP had previously held the post ss Bersatu’s secretary-general (and later deputy president) and was recently re-appointed – not by Perikatan Nasional (PN) – but by PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang whom some in the opposition faction have described as the “supreme leader”.
PAS has recently broken its political ties with Bersatu for a number of reasons. Whether these reasons were manufactured or genuine remains to be seen.
However, the narrative of PAS’ unhappiness with Bersatu was used to justify the former’s decision to sever ties with the latter.
What is strange is the fact that PAS’ repeated emphasis on the unity of the ummah (Muslim solidarity) was not reflected in its decision to snap ties with Bersatu.
The question, therefore, is how sincere PAS is in calling for Malay-Muslim unity. Is the severing of ties with Bersatu intended to strengthen the unity of the ummah or merely an attempt by to revive the Muafakat Nasional (MN) with UMNO?
Just like that, PAS was willing to forgo its six-year relationship with Bersatu. Yet, without any apparent sense of contradiction, PAS remains willing to cooperate with UMNO on the nebulous notion of MN.
Collective PN decision breached
Given its newfound political strength, UMNO may well have rejected PAS’ overtures.
While I have nothing against the appointment of Hamzah as the opposition leader, the protocol adopted was rather bizarre and undemocratic.
Rightfully, PN should have collectively appointed Hamzah as the opposition leader. Unfortunately, what transpired was that Hadi overrode PN’s protocols by unilaterally appointing Hamzah as the new opposition leader.
PAS and Hamzah’s Reset team may command the majority of opposition MPs but it would only have been proper for Hamzah’s appointment to come through PN as a coalition.
Apart from the controversial (re-)appointment of Hamzah, the manner in which PN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar was removed as head of the opposition says much about the undemocratic practices within PAS and the influence of its “supreme leader”.
Editor’s Note: The Terengganu Menteri Besar has since become the subject of mocking by Madani backers for potentially becoming Malaysia’s opposition leader with the shortest stint od 28 days from May 16 to June 13.
Belum bermula sudah tamat.
Rakyat boleh buka mata dan menilai. #BiarFaktaBicara#KitaUndiHarapan pic.twitter.com/lbMMZQdRhq
— Nga Kor Ming (@NgaKorMing) June 13, 2026
Satu-satunya ketua pembangkang yang tak sempat beraksi di parlimen
Umur paling pendek di dunia
Ingatkan hero sangat
Rupanya tak berani berpencak silat dengan PMX @anwaribrahim di parlimen 🤭
Lambat lagilah PAS nak dapat calon PM
Macam tu je @abdulhadiawang malukan Dr Sam pic.twitter.com/Ya6FsC4PBy
— Adam Yusuf (@adamyusuf88) June 13, 2026
Hadi, by virtue of his position in PAS, simply bulldozed through Hamzah’s appointment and in the process, removed Samsuri from his position as opposition leader.
If Samsuri had any self-respect and dignity, he would have relinquished all his positions in PAS and in the Terengganu state administration.
I am left wondering how PAS can build trust within the Malay-Muslim community when arbitrary decisions are made in matters as important as the appointment of the opposition leader.
Removing Samsuri from the position was both unnecessary and unjustified.
Given PAS’ undemocratic and arbitrary decisions – from ending its ties with Bersatu to the unilateral appointment of Hamzah and the removal of Samsuri – the Islamist party has proven beyond reasonable doubt that it is just another ordinary political party which lacks the capacity to administer the nation as a whole.
Ironically, the rupture in relations between PAS and Bersatu may have provided the latter with a clean slate to chart its own political course. – June 15, 2026
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
