SHAH ALAM — All eyes are now on Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s next move following his sacking from Bersatu, with close allies insisting that a return to Umno is not on the table despite what has been described as an “open invitation.”
Former Bersatu Supreme Council member Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq, who was recently dropped from the party’s top leadership and later resigned as chairman of its legal and constitution bureau, made it clear that Hamzah’s camp is looking ahead, not backward.
“I’m quite sure Hamzah is not heading back there although there is open invitation to come back,” Khaliq told Sinar Daily, dismissing speculation that the former Umno leader could retrace his political steps.
Instead, he suggested that Hamzah is weighing his options carefully following the dramatic fallout within Bersatu.
Hamzah, who serves as Opposition Leader, was today officially dismissed after the party’s disciplinary board found that he had breached Clause 9.1.4 of Bersatu’s constitution. In a letter signed by disciplinary board chairman Radzi Manan, the decision was stated to take immediate effect, with Hamzah given 14 days to appeal.
The sacking comes amid an escalating leadership tussle between Hamzah and party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, marking one of the most serious internal crises the party has faced since its formation.
Khaliq, who remains firmly aligned with the now-sacked deputy president, said many within the party are waiting for Hamzah to chart the next course of action.
“We will wait for Hamzah to announce the plans. There are plans but I do not want to jump the gun. I am loyal to Hamzah, he will not leave his supporters,” he said, hinting that discussions are already underway behind the scenes.
Khaliq did not hide his dissatisfaction with how the leadership has handled party affairs, particularly disciplinary actions against key figures. Among them were Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah and Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, both of whom were sacked, as well as the suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
He argued that such moves risk weakening the party instead of strengthening it.
“I can’t stay with the party if the party objective has steered from the original objective,” Khaliq said, stressing that he wants to see the party remain strong but believes recent actions have eroded unity.
Beyond Bersatu, the tremors are being felt within Perikatan Nasional (PN). Khaliq claimed tensions have grown within the coalition, particularly over what he described as a premature announcement of a “poster boy” candidate without consensus from coalition partner Pas.
“We are a coalition, we should discuss. Don’t be too hasty,” he said, suggesting that certain statements from individuals close to the party president had further strained ties.
The unfolding developments have raised broader questions about whether Hamzah’s next move could reshape the internal dynamics of Bersatu — or even the wider opposition landscape.
For now, Khaliq insists that a return to Umno is not being considered.
“Umno is not our way forward,” he said firmly.
As the 14-day appeal window ticks down, attention is turning to whether Hamzah will challenge the decision internally, forge a new political alignment, or consolidate support among loyalists for a fresh platform.
What is clear, according to those close to him, is that Hamzah’s political journey is far from over, and his next move could prove pivotal not just for Bersatu, but for the future direction of the opposition bloc.