Bersatu has questioned the position of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, saying it is inappropriate for the Larut MP to continue “clinging” to the role of Opposition Leader after being expelled from the party three months ago.
Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul had reportedly confirmed that Hamzah had not submitted a resignation letter for the post.
Tun Faisal argued that it was unacceptable for an independent MP to continue serving as Opposition Leader, stressing that the position should be held by someone with a clear mandate from the main opposition bloc, Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He said Hamzah had previously held the post in his capacity as a Bersatu MP representing PN, and questioned the legitimacy of retaining the role after losing party membership.
He further claimed that under the Anti-Party Hopping Law 2022, an MP who is no longer a member of the party under which they were elected should be considered independent and placed in the non-aligned bloc in Parliament.
Tun Faisal also said Hamzah should have stepped down out of principle, adding that the Opposition Leader role is not a personal entitlement but an institutional position tied to party representation.
He described the continued holding of the post as morally and politically questionable, insisting it reflected poorly on parliamentary integrity.
Earlier, Johari was reported to have said that Parliament was awaiting formal confirmation before any further action could be taken, following a notice submitted by PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar had previously confirmed in April that Hamzah had stepped down as Opposition Leader and instructed that Parliament be formally informed of the vacancy.
