15/02/2026

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday FEB 15, 2026

‘I am Muhyiddin’s number one enemy now’

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 17 Bersatu members have had their memberships terminated by the party’s disciplinary board, including four MPs and two state assemblymen. Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who is among those expelled, confirmed the matter. “That is correct,” he replied briefly, referring to the notification dated Feb 13 submitted to party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin by Bersatu Disciplinary Board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan. In addition to the Supreme Leadership Council member, others expelled include Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut MP), Fathul Huzir Ayob (Gerik MP) and Capt Azahari Hasan (Padang Rengas MP). The two expelled state assemblymen are Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub (Bemban, Malacca), who is also the state’s opposition leader, and Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin (Sungai Manik, Perak). Nine Bersatu division chiefs expelled were: Mohd Hassuandi Hamzah (Larut), Yunus Nurdin (Libaran), Datuk Abdul Aziz Ismail (Dungun), Ahmad Nasir Mid (Selayang), Ahmad Ishak (Gopeng), Kamaruddin Majid (Teluk Intan), Datuk Zulkifli Bujang (Johor Bahru), Ramlan Meon (Tangga Batu) and Mohd Yunus Mhd Yusop (Tapah). Also expelled were Sabah Bersatu Srikandi Muda chief Nabila Norsahar and Hulu Langat Bersatu Information chief Mohamad Shafiq Abdul Halim. The notice stated that the Disciplinary Board performed its duties under the Bersatu disciplinary case management procedures on Feb 12 and subsequently made the decision in accordance with Clause 22.5 of the Bersatu constitution. The notice added that any Bersatu party member found guilty of violating party discipline and penalised has the right to submit an appeal to the Appeals Board for consideration within 14 days from the date of the letter. Meanwhile, all Bersatu members have been sternly reminded not to be involved in any form of meetings or gatherings organised by individuals who have been expelled by the party’s disciplinary board. Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said it is an offence for any member to collude with individuals or parties who act contrary to the party’s constitution and who utter abusive remarks that tarnish the party’s good name and dignity. “The Disciplinary Board has decided that Hamzah Zainudin and several individuals have been stripped of their membership rights under Clause 22.5 with effect Feb 13 for breaching Clause 9.1.4 of the Bersatu constitution.” – Bernama Four MPs, two state assemblymen among 17 sacked by Bersatu

PETALING JAYA: The alleged takeover of Bersatu’s Facebook page could be linked to individuals aligned with Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, a development that appears to reflect ongoing internal tensions within Bersatu following his removal as deputy president, said political analysts. “The factionalism in Bersatu is really deep. Those aligning with Hamzah may not be so happy right now. It also shows that the unhappiness and anger with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is real and has been worsened by the sackings,” said International Islamic University Malaysia Political Science and Madani Studies head Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri. She said now that Hamzah and his supporters have been sacked after months of internal KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin yesterday declared himself the “number one enemy” of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin, following his sacking from the party on Friday. “Last year, at the Bersatu Annual General Assembly, I stood as the president’s number one supporter. “Today, I stand as his number one opponent,” Hamzah said at a “political reset” meeting that was held at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Association Club House yesterday. The former deputy president claimed he was blindsided by his dismissal. “I had no idea this was happening. Today I speak because I simply didn’t know. What kind of ghosts are in this party? Enough is enough.” Muhyiddin defended the move yesterday, saying he had acted “in good faith” to protect Bersatu. He said he had tolerated Hamzah for years but accused him of continuously undermining efforts to unite the party. Former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah claims he was blindsided by his dismissal Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Hamzah with supporters at the meeting held at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Association Club House yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

build this nation together with a new national consensus for the benefit of all communities.” Hamzah, now an independent MP, said he currently has the backing of 18 Bersatu MPs, giving him a majority within the party’s parliamentary cohort. On whether he would invite other opposition MPs to join him, he said, “if they are supporting me, do they have to join me? Not necessary. “My call is about an honest struggle for the nation’s future, not about assuming leadership of a new party.” Rumours about alliances with other parties were also downplayed. involved unauthorised digital access and the misuse of an official platform to mislead both party members and the public. “Such actions may violate the Computer Crimes Act 1997 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 as well as relevant provisions of the Penal Code relating to fraud and defamation.” The page was taken over with posts mocking the party’s leadership, including one that read: “How can Bersatu leaders be prime minister when they can’t even manage their Facebook page?” The breach, believed to have occurred around 5pm on Friday, came just hours after Hamzah was sacked following a disciplinary board hearing. The hackers used the party’s verified page to criticise top leadership and call for president Muhyiddin to step down. As of press time, the content remains on the page.

emphasising that leadership must be sincere and grounded in the people’s needs. Hamzah also criticised Muhyiddin’s leadership style. “Muhyiddin, you asked me to help, you asked me to contribute. Struggle requires sacrifice – that is what I have done. “(But now), you’re gone, you’re finished. If leadership continues to act one way in front and another behind, this party will collapse.” Looking ahead, Hamzah signalled that he would have a “new house”, with a “new political reset”, hinting at a fresh platform for his supporters. “I’m not the head, but maybe I’m the captain. The struggle is to He said the posts attacking the party leadership are clearly linked to internal factional disputes. Earlier, Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the party filed reports with the police, MCMC and Meta after its official Facebook page was allegedly hijacked, several administrators removed and a series of posts attacking the party and its leadership were published. “The content uploaded was unauthorised, does not reflect the party’s official position and was posted without the consent of Bersatu leadership,” he said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday. Tun Faisal said the party has identified a person believed to be involved, who was one of the page’s administrators and linked to a Bersatu leader dismissed the previous day. He said the party is treating the incident seriously, stressing that it

Hamzah was sacked along with several other top-tier figures, including supreme council member and Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, in what insiders described as a dramatic shake up within Bersatu. “I have been expelled, and I will not file any appeal. Struggle requires sacrifice, and I have given a lot. “I have acted in the name of the party and for the people. I am no longer a member of Bersatu but I remain an MP and a leader of the Opposition. I will continue to fight for their welfare” said Hamzah. He urged party members to rise and carry on the struggle, struggle, his faction is likely showing very little loyalty to the party, particularly the president. “They have nothing to lose. They’re not part of the party anymore.” Political analyst Prof Azmi Hassan said the alleged hack of Bersatu’s Facebook page was likely done by one of its administrators. He said it shows that many of Hamzah’s supporters are willing to take the risk to portray him as a victim. “What can be seen from this episode is that there are still many Bersatu members who support Hamzah.” He said the hacking shows that something is not right in Bersatu and something is not right with what Muhyiddin did to Hamzah.” Another political analyst, Prof James Chin, said the so-called hijacking of Bersatu’s Facebook page should not be overblown. “It just so happened that the page had many administrators,

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com Factionalism cited for Facebook page alleged takeover and one of them is in Hamzah’s camp.”