PAS backs Hamzah to 'get at' Muhyiddin - analysts
Shakira Buang
Published: Feb 17, 2026 6:09 PM
Updated: 9:13 PM
The support shown by PAS for Hamzah Zainudin, despite the Larut MP’s apparent defiance of his own party president, has been interpreted as a move to “get at” Bersatu.
Political analyst Azmi Hassan from the Nusantara Strategic Research Academy said PAS’ current stance could be linked to the political crisis in Perlis.
In that episode, he said, PAS blamed Bersatu for events that led to the party losing the menteri besar post.
As such, when Hamzah was sacked from Bersatu, PAS was seen as quickly extending a wide and friendly opening to the former Bersatu deputy president.
“Why did they open such a wide door to accept or support Hamzah? It is to ‘get back at’ Muhyiddin,” he told Malaysiakini.
Bersatu sacked Hamzah on Feb 13 under Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution. Its disciplinary board alleged that he breached a provision concerning his obligation to perform party duties and to participate in meetings and activities.
The sacking marked the climax of a long-running clash between Hamzah and Muhyiddin’s camps that had simmered for several years.
Published: Feb 17, 2026 6:09 PM
Updated: 9:13 PM
The support shown by PAS for Hamzah Zainudin, despite the Larut MP’s apparent defiance of his own party president, has been interpreted as a move to “get at” Bersatu.
Political analyst Azmi Hassan from the Nusantara Strategic Research Academy said PAS’ current stance could be linked to the political crisis in Perlis.
In that episode, he said, PAS blamed Bersatu for events that led to the party losing the menteri besar post.
As such, when Hamzah was sacked from Bersatu, PAS was seen as quickly extending a wide and friendly opening to the former Bersatu deputy president.
“Why did they open such a wide door to accept or support Hamzah? It is to ‘get back at’ Muhyiddin,” he told Malaysiakini.
Bersatu sacked Hamzah on Feb 13 under Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution. Its disciplinary board alleged that he breached a provision concerning his obligation to perform party duties and to participate in meetings and activities.
The sacking marked the climax of a long-running clash between Hamzah and Muhyiddin’s camps that had simmered for several years.
Azmi Hassan
On the day he was expelled, Hamzah took to Facebook and shared a photograph believed to have been taken at PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s residence in Rusila, Terengganu.
The development occurred less than two months after Perlis Bersatu chairperson Abu Bakar Hamzah was sworn in as menteri besar, replacing the Sanglang assemblyperson and former PAS state commissioner, Shukri Ramli.
Besides blaming Bersatu, PAS had also described the Perlis episode as an act of betrayal. Three of its assemblypersons who signed statutory declarations rejecting Shukri had their memberships terminated for defying party’s instructions.
Nothing contradictory
On that note, Azmi said PAS’ differing stance between the Perlis issue and the Hamzah episode did not necessarily pose a major contradiction.
“PAS often acts in ways that appear contradictory, but it will do so for its political interests,” he said.
On the day he was expelled, Hamzah took to Facebook and shared a photograph believed to have been taken at PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s residence in Rusila, Terengganu.
The development occurred less than two months after Perlis Bersatu chairperson Abu Bakar Hamzah was sworn in as menteri besar, replacing the Sanglang assemblyperson and former PAS state commissioner, Shukri Ramli.
Besides blaming Bersatu, PAS had also described the Perlis episode as an act of betrayal. Three of its assemblypersons who signed statutory declarations rejecting Shukri had their memberships terminated for defying party’s instructions.
Nothing contradictory
On that note, Azmi said PAS’ differing stance between the Perlis issue and the Hamzah episode did not necessarily pose a major contradiction.
“PAS often acts in ways that appear contradictory, but it will do so for its political interests,” he said.
Hamzah Zainudin
He added that PAS’ seeming support for Hamzah as opposition leader could also be read as an attempt to pressure Muhyiddin, who is claimed to be having second thoughts about relinquishing the PN chief post.
According to Azmi, PAS’ move invites perceptions of inconsistency, with the party seen as prioritising power calculations over uniform principles.
Realpolitik at play
Meanwhile, political analyst Jamaie Hamil from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia described the development as “realpolitik” laden with cost-benefit considerations.
In politics, he said, a party will tend to support the side with greater potential to strengthen its own position.
“That’s politics. Politics is full of possibilities.
“In this context, whichever option brings benefit to the party, they will agree to it, while options seen as less advantageous will simply be left aside,” he said.
Jamaie added that PAS may view Hamzah as wielding greater influence among Bersatu leaders compared to Muhyiddin.
He added that PAS’ seeming support for Hamzah as opposition leader could also be read as an attempt to pressure Muhyiddin, who is claimed to be having second thoughts about relinquishing the PN chief post.
According to Azmi, PAS’ move invites perceptions of inconsistency, with the party seen as prioritising power calculations over uniform principles.
Realpolitik at play
Meanwhile, political analyst Jamaie Hamil from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia described the development as “realpolitik” laden with cost-benefit considerations.
In politics, he said, a party will tend to support the side with greater potential to strengthen its own position.
“That’s politics. Politics is full of possibilities.
“In this context, whichever option brings benefit to the party, they will agree to it, while options seen as less advantageous will simply be left aside,” he said.
Jamaie added that PAS may view Hamzah as wielding greater influence among Bersatu leaders compared to Muhyiddin.
Jamaie Hamil
“Thus, the support is based on strategic considerations,” he added.
He also opined that perceptions surrounding issues involving Muhyiddin’s family have become a political liability for PN and PAS, influencing the Islamist party’s calculations, adding it may see Muhyiddin as becoming increasingly irrelevant within Bersatu.
“One factor may be Muhyiddin’s own health, then the ‘parasites’ surrounding the Pagoh MP, including the issue of his son-in-law who fled overseas.
“So, PAS and PN find it difficult to agree that they are entirely clean. Why? Because Muhyiddin has been tainted by the issue involving his son-in-law.
“We see that whenever Muhyiddin debates in Parliament, the government side sometimes raises the question of where his son-in-law has gone,” he said, adding as the Bersatu crisis peaked, PAS appeared to favour Hamzah.
PAS’ political strategy
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Mazlan Ali said PAS’ stance is more a matter of political strategy than hypocrisy.
Mazlan said PAS and Muhyiddin have long been at odds, including over the choice of prime ministerial candidate and PN’s status in Sabah.
He added that PAS is focused on ensuring PN’s survival and sees Hamzah as a strategic partner.
“Thus, the support is based on strategic considerations,” he added.
He also opined that perceptions surrounding issues involving Muhyiddin’s family have become a political liability for PN and PAS, influencing the Islamist party’s calculations, adding it may see Muhyiddin as becoming increasingly irrelevant within Bersatu.
“One factor may be Muhyiddin’s own health, then the ‘parasites’ surrounding the Pagoh MP, including the issue of his son-in-law who fled overseas.
“So, PAS and PN find it difficult to agree that they are entirely clean. Why? Because Muhyiddin has been tainted by the issue involving his son-in-law.
“We see that whenever Muhyiddin debates in Parliament, the government side sometimes raises the question of where his son-in-law has gone,” he said, adding as the Bersatu crisis peaked, PAS appeared to favour Hamzah.
PAS’ political strategy
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Mazlan Ali said PAS’ stance is more a matter of political strategy than hypocrisy.
Mazlan said PAS and Muhyiddin have long been at odds, including over the choice of prime ministerial candidate and PN’s status in Sabah.
He added that PAS is focused on ensuring PN’s survival and sees Hamzah as a strategic partner.
Mazlan Ali
“Some may interpret it as hypocrisy, but that depends on one’s perspective.
“PAS may see it from a strategic standpoint, because Hamzah is more influential than Muhyiddin within Bersatu.
“From PAS’ point of view, perhaps aligning with Hamzah carries less risk than aligning with Muhyiddin,” he said.
Mazlan also pointed to claims that 19 Bersatu MPs and more than 100 party divisions are aligned with Hamzah as a factor that cannot be ignored.
“Some may interpret it as hypocrisy, but that depends on one’s perspective.
“PAS may see it from a strategic standpoint, because Hamzah is more influential than Muhyiddin within Bersatu.
“From PAS’ point of view, perhaps aligning with Hamzah carries less risk than aligning with Muhyiddin,” he said.
Mazlan also pointed to claims that 19 Bersatu MPs and more than 100 party divisions are aligned with Hamzah as a factor that cannot be ignored.
“PAS sees that and believes Muhyiddin no longer has much room to manoeuvre,” he added.
Meanwhile, Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said the Perlis case was unique and more related to PAS’ internal dynamics.
The clash between Hamzah and Muhyiddin, she said, reflects PAS’ inclination to back alternative leadership within Bersatu.
She added that recent developments indicate dissatisfaction within PAS towards Muhyiddin’s leadership, as suggested by the absence of party representatives at a meeting held at the former prime minister’s residence recently.
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