22/06/2026

MONDAY | JUNE 22, 2026

3

Parliament convenes amid Opposition fault lines o Analysts expect subsidy rationalisation and reform pledges to dominate Dewan Rakyat debates Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Wawasan draws together veterans, ex-ministers and professionals PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has been elected president of Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan), a new multiracial opposition party drawing together veteran politicians, former ministers, sitting MPs and professionals, with questions over its registration status yet to be fully resolved. The appointments were confirmed at Wawasan’s first annual general meeting on Saturday. Veteran politician and former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim has been named chairman, while former Johor Bersatu associate chief Datuk Tan Lek Khang is deputy president. The party’s five vice-presidents include former Malacca Bersatu chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, former MCA Youth secretary-general Datuk Leong Kim Soon, Datuk Mohd Omar Mustapha and Datuk Huan Cheng Guan. Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah has been appointed secretary-general, with Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad named information chief. Mohd Badrul Ezan Mohd Yusof takes on the role of executive secretary, while Datuk Arifin Tobias was appointed treasurer-general. The party also unveiled 25 central committee members, among them Gerik MP Fathul Huzair Ayob, Padang Rengas MP Azahari Hasan and former Universiti Teknologi Mara vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Dr Ibrahim Shah Abu Shah. Wawasan was introduced as the official platform for Gerakan Reset at the Reset Malaysia Convention in Tanah Merah, Kelantan on June 13, in which PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced that Hamzah would return as Opposition Leader, taking over from Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar. Ahmad Samsuri, who was appointed to the post on May 16, remains Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman. Hadi also confirmed that Wawasan will contest the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections under the PN logo. However, the party’s formation has not been without controversy. Questions have been raised over its registration status after Parti Wawasan Negara was found listed in the Registrar of Societies database under registration number PPM-004-07-08062009 – a record linked to the now-defunct Parti Cinta Malaysia. Hamzah has sought to dismiss the concerns, saying the matter is not an issue as the party is essentially a rebranding of an existing registered entity. “I took over a party, we only changed the name,“ he was quoted as saying. Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin-led Wawasan party – which is PAS-backed – has also signalled its intention to contest in Johor. The newly rebranded Bersama party, led by former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, announced on Saturday it would contest the Johor state election, marking its electoral debut. The party is expected to announce its slate of candidates on Friday. Muda has also confirmed it will defend the Puteri Wangsa seat, naming 26-year-old Rashifa Aljunied as its candidate. Incumbent party president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz will not be defending the seat as she is expected to pursue future parliamentary ambitions. Nomination day is set for June 27, with early voting on July 7, and polling day on July 11, according to the Election Commission. Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Cost of living pressures, stalled institutional reforms and a fractured opposition are set to define the Second Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament, which begins today. Political analysts say subsidy rationalisation and the government’s long promised reform agenda will dominate debates in the Dewan Rakyat even as fresh fault lines within the Opposition bloc threaten to dilute parliamentary scrutiny of the administration. International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri said the Opposition enters the sitting in a more complicated position following the apparent divergence between PAS and Bersatu. “The Opposition previously had little in terms of its own agenda of holding the government accountable. It could become even more difficult now because there may be less coordination, especially between PAS and Bersatu, the two biggest opposition parties.“ While noting that Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin remains Opposition Leader, Syaza said operating without a united front could prove increasingly awkward. She nonetheless expects bipartisan support on matters of national interest, including security concerns linked to Rohingya refugees and legislation such as the Environment Quality Bill. More contentious battles, however, are likely over cost of living issues and fuel subsidy rationalisation. “Both sides will frame these issues to their advantage. The government will defend its policies, while the Opposition will use them to criticise the administration.” Syaza added that scrutiny would also fall on the government’s ability to deliver on its institutional reform commitments, particularly as the country moves closer to the next general election. “For a long time, the government’s message has been that it needs time. It has had that time now, so questions will be asked about what has been achieved and whether its policies have benefited the people,“ she said. Among the reforms likely to face close examination are four key promises announced earlier this year – limiting the prime minister’s tenure, separating the roles of Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor, establishing an ombudsman institution and introducing a Freedom of Information framework. “These reforms were promised this year, and with election season approaching, it

As the august House resumes today, opposition divisions could complicate efforts involving government policies. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

parliamentary proceedings. “PAS is now freer to sharpen its attacks, while Bersatu is in a more defensive position. “Scrutiny may become louder but less coordinated, which could provide the government with some room to manoeuvre on routine legislation.” She cautioned, however, that major reforms requiring bipartisan support could still face significant challenges. Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said one of the most pressing questions is how the opposition will conduct itself in Parliament. “The most interesting aspect will be how the opposition reacts now that there appears to be two opposition blocs – one led by PAS and the other by Bersatu.” Azmi noted that Hamzah remains caught in the middle as Opposition Leader, raising questions about how he will manage his relationships with both PAS and the government. “I’m sure Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will be vocal and critical towards the government but I’m not sure how PAS, together with Hamzah, will manoeuvre its relationship with the government – whether they will be as critical as before or become friendlier. That relationship will be interesting to watch in the coming weeks.” Perikatan Nasional is also targeting all 56 seats, but internal fault lines have emerged within the coalition. Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party was prepared to face PAS head on in certain constituencies after seat negotiations broke down, citing a lack of consultation between the two parties. Muhyiddin acknowledged strained relations within the opposition bloc while maintaining that Bersatu remained confident of its electoral prospects. The rift deepened on June 9 when PAS severed electoral ties with Bersatu, while stopping short of leaving PN altogether. Bersatu has since indicated it will still contest under the PN banner. Further complicating the opposition landscape, the

becomes increasingly important for the prime minister to demonstrate progress on his institutional reform agenda,” Syaza added. Prof Dr Kartini Aboo Talib @ Khalid, who holds the Malaysian Studies chair at Victoria University of Wellington similarly identified three broad themes expected to dominate proceedings: cost of living pressures, institutional reform timelines and evolving opposition dynamics. She said MPs from both sides are likely to demand clearer explanations on subsidy retargeting, food price stability and the implementation of the progressive wage model. “These remain the most politically salient issues and the government will be expected to show tangible progress.” Kartini also pointed to renewed attention on several overdue reform measures, including the Political Financing Bill, the separation of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor roles, and the Parliamentary Services Act. “These reforms have been repeatedly signalled but have yet to be tabled and the delays will invite scrutiny from civil society and Opposition lawmakers.“ On the Opposition’s internal dynamics, she said the PAS-Bersatu split had introduced a new layer of complexity to principled, capable and committed to delivering progress while safeguarding public welfare. The announcement comes as political parties intensify preparations for the state election, with all major coalitions positioning themselves for a full-scale contest. Within PH, PKR is expected to contest at least 20 of Johor’s 56 state seats, while DAP will field candidates in 17 seats – 10 of which it currently holds – according to party secretary general Anthony Loke. Amanah is expected to field 19 candidates. On the other side of the divide, Barisan Nasional has confirmed it will contest all 56 seats. Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the decision was aimed at securing a full mandate to govern the state.

Anwar to announce candidates for Johor polls

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will lead Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders to Bukit Gambir, Johor tonight as the coalition prepares to name its candidates for the 16th Johor polls. Anwar, who is also PH chairman, announced via Facebook that he would join coalition leaders at 8pm at the Bukit Gambir Extreme Park field for the candidate announcement. “God willing, I will be in Bukit Gambir to announce the candidates who will carry the people’s mandate in the 16th Johor state election,“ he said. He said Johor deserves leadership that is