KUALA LUMPUR – Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said 80% of opposition MPs support Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin remaining as Opposition Leader, adding that Pas’ decision to retain him reflects the clear majority position within the bloc.
Saifuddin, who is a former Bersatu leader said the position taken by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is consistent with the party’s role as the largest component in the opposition and with the numerical balance within Parliament.
“The announcement was made after PAS ended its ties with Bersatu (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) and following the relevant Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council meeting.
“The internal landscape and dynamics of the opposition have therefore changed compared to before,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
The remarks followed Abdul Hadi’s announcement at the Reset Malaysia Convention on Saturday that Hamzah would continue as Opposition Leader. He said the decision was reached through consultations within PAS and among MPs aligned with Gerakan Reset.
Abdul Hadi also said PAS and Gerakan Reset had agreed to retain Hamzah, adding that the matter was decided through internal consensus.
Kemaman MP Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also Terengganu menteri besar, was retained as chairman of Perikatan Nasional.
Saifuddin said PAS had consistently supported Hamzah Zainudin, the Larut MP, as Opposition Leader, including after his removal from Bersatu.
“Today, 43 PAS MPs and 19 MPs supporting Hamzah want him to remain as Opposition Leader. This means about 80% of MPs in the opposition bloc support his position.
“Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that PAS is acting against PN. Instead, PAS is expressing a position that aligns with the overwhelming majority of opposition MPs,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that Abdul Hadi’s stance reflected so-called “mullah power”, describing them as recycled political propaganda intended to mislead and alarm the public.
Saifuddin said that in a parliamentary democracy, legitimacy is determined by majority support rather than perception or political sentiment.
“If a decision is to be made democratically within the opposition bloc, the voice of the majority must be respected.
“Given that a large majority of opposition MPs still support Hamzah, it is logical and reasonable for him to remain as Opposition Leader,” he said.
Meanwhile, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party has yet to finalise its candidate list for the upcoming 16th Negeri Sembilan state election.
He said PAS has not received the official list of prospective candidates.
“The list will be brought to the PAS Central Committee, where we will decide who is most suitable and formally select the candidates,” he said.
Tuan Ibrahim added that each constituency typically submits two or three names for consideration before a final decision is made, while the number of seats PAS will contest remains under review. — June 14, 2026