While former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin is capable of becoming an effective intermediary between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), an analyst suggests the task will be far from simple.
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia noted that Hamzah possesses the ability to facilitate a pact between the two coalitions given his extensive political background. However, he cautioned that BN maintains its own specific direction and strategy, which complicates the realization of such an alliance.
Strategic capability amidst political hurdles
Mazlan told FMT that while the task is difficult, it remains within the realm of possibility. Hamzah, who was with Umno before joining Bersatu in 2019, was recently removed from Bersatu on Feb 13 following a leadership dispute with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.
On Tuesday, Hamzah expressed confidence in his capacity to serve as a bridge between two major political coalitions to ensure national progress and stability. He argued that the current political landscape requires an individual capable of closing gaps between different groups to form a larger, more stable team.
Although he did not explicitly name the coalitions, his remarks were widely interpreted as referring to PN and BN. Hamzah cited his good personal relationships with leaders such as Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang as a foundation for engagement.
Recognition of leadership and influence
Mazlan highlighted that PAS, a key ally in PN, had previously acknowledged Hamzah’s capabilities by supporting his appointment as the opposition leader while he served as party secretary-general.
Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya added that Hamzah’s removal from Bersatu does not necessarily weaken his strategic standing. He suggested that Hamzah could be viewed as the victor in the struggle against Muhyiddin, as he appears to retain the support of a majority of Bersatu members of parliament.
Complex history as a mediator
Despite these strengths, Tawfik described Hamzah as an unusual choice for an intermediary between PN and BN. He noted that Hamzah previously caused significant friction within Umno when he led six others to defect to Bersatu, and he has recently been central to internal turmoil within Bersatu itself.
Operational strengths and grassroots management
Nonetheless, Tawfik credited Hamzah for his talent in recruiting members of parliament and his proficiency in managing funds. These skills are seen as vital for supporting a party’s operations and addressing the needs of the grassroots.
