KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin will maintain his current role as the Leader of the Opposition in the Dewan Rakyat for the time being, as the House has yet to receive any formal notification regarding a change in his status following his reported expulsion from Bersatu.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul confirmed that, as of Tuesday, no official written correspondence has been submitted by Bersatu or the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition to his office. He emphasized that any decision regarding the leadership of the opposition bloc can only be formalized once a “black and white” confirmation is received.
“As of now, we have not received anything. This means his status remains the same until we get official notification in writing,” Johari told reporters following a breaking-of-fast event at the Parliament building.
The Speaker added that with only two days remaining in the current week’s parliamentary session, further developments regarding the matter might only be clarified by next week. “Until we receive official word, there is little I can do at this stage,” he noted.
The uncertainty surrounding Hamzah’s position follows reports of his expulsion from Bersatu due to internal party conflicts. Hamzah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Larut, has served as the key figurehead for the opposition since the formation of the current government.
In a related development, Perikatan Nasional Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan previously indicated that PAS is set to take over the Opposition Leader post. However, the coalition has yet to announce the specific name of the MP who will succeed Hamzah.
Under parliamentary conventions, the appointment of the Opposition Leader is determined by the largest opposition bloc, subject to formal notification and recognition by the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat. Until such a transition is officially communicated, Hamzah Zainudin remains the recognized leader of the opposition bench.
