Zaid hopes Barisan Nasional 2.0 will emerge amid rifts in Bersatu

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FORMER deputy minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim predicted the emergence of a new political coalition, “Barisan Nasional 2.0”, amid growing turmoil within Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Zaid said a new grouping is needed to “salvage the country” from what he described as the “utterly useless PH (putus harapan)” government.

He proposed that reform-minded UMNO leaders—excluding party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – work with MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M Saravanan, and capable MPs who have been sidelined by their parties.

Commenting on Bersatu’s internal strife, Zaid noted that although party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not seek Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s advise on sacking deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Hamzah and his allies are now being marginalised.

“So what next with Bersatu and PN? A much weaker entity that will not be able to match the money and machinery of PMX.

“So Muhyiddin did not ask for Dr Mahathir’s views about sacking Hamzah, but sacking or no sacking Hamzah will inevitably be sidelined. Hamzah’s men, too, will no longer be key operators in Bersatu,” he said on X.

He added that Bersatu and PN have become weaker and unable to compete with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s resources and machinery.

Meanwhile, PN acknowledged that internal issues within Bersatu, including the recent sacking of several leaders, had affected the party’s momentum ahead of the Sabah state election.

PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said all coalition members must prioritise unity and stability to stay focused on shared goals.

“Any organisation with internal crises will inevitably be affected. This is not the time for discord,” he said after an event in Kelantan today.

Takiyuddin’s remarks came after Bersatu expelled Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and suspended Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal over statutory declaration issues.

Dr Mahathir denied claimed that Muhyiddin had sought his advice to remove Hamzah, stressing that both leaders should work towards Malay unity instead of factional rivalry.

“If we want to achieve Malay unity, you must accept followers of both Hamzah and Muhyiddin, because we should see them only as Malays… not as followers of Hamzah or Muhyiddin.

“They (Muhyiddin and Hamzah) listen to me. They believe in unity. They believe that unity gives us strength and enables us to win elections. But both of them are thinking about their own futures,” he said.

“Because Muhyiddin feels that if he can gain majority support under a big umbrella, he will win and become prime minister. But anyone can become prime minister. We should not focus only on Muhyiddin or Hamzah,” Dr Mahathir said in a statement. — Nov 1, 2025

The post Zaid hopes Barisan Nasional 2.0 will emerge amid rifts in Bersatu first appeared on Focus Malaysia.

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