KOTA BHARU: Perikatan Nasional has yet to decide whether to retain or replace the position of Opposition Leader in the Dewan Rakyat, currently held by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Perikatan Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said that, to date, no specific meeting has been held to discuss the matter, reported Sinar Harian.
He explained that any opposition MP is eligible to be appointed as Leader of the Opposition, as long as they are part of the opposition bloc.
"In principle, any opposition MP can be chosen as Leader of the Opposition," he said.
"We have not held a meeting to decide whether to retain the current leader or to make a change," he added.
Previously, the media reported that Bersatu Deputy President Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin and Takiyuddin, who is also the Chief Whip, were among those being considered for the post of Opposition Leader due to their senior positions in both the party and the coalition.
University of Malaya (UM) sociopolitical analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi previously explained that, within the Perikatan structure, the position of Opposition Leader is usually determined by the strength of the largest bloc in the coalition and a collective agreement among the component parties, particularly Bersatu and PAS.
Takiyuddin said that Hamzah remains an opposition Member of Parliament despite being expelled from Bersatu.
"This issue is also not on the agenda of the Perikatan Supreme Council’s Extraordinary Meeting this Sunday," he said.
Commenting on the political future of the former Bersatu Deputy President, including whether he might join UMNO or form a new party, Takiyuddin said it was an internal matter and an individual political choice that did not involve PAS intervention.
"It is up to him whether to join UMNO, form a new party or make any other political decision," he said.
"That is his own political journey," he added.
He stressed that PAS does not interfere in the internal affairs of other parties and does not extend specific membership offers to any individual.
"PAS is open to anyone who wishes to apply to become a member, but there is a process and an assessment," he said.
"We have never specifically offered any Member of Parliament to join PAS," he said.
Takiyuddin also stressed that PAS’s relationship with other parties in Perikatan remains unchanged and is not affected by any political developments involving specific individuals.
"What happens in other parties is their business," he said.
"We are focused on strengthening Perikatan and its role as the opposition bloc," he said.
