# Malaysia Political Topics Report **Date:** 4 January 2026 **Data Source:** Malaysian News Summary Database (news from 28 Dec 2025 - 4 Jan 2026) --- ## Executive Summary The most important political topics in Malaysia right now center on **coalition instability and leadership changes** in both the government and opposition camps. The key developments include: 1. **Perikatan Nasional (PN) Leadership Crisis** - Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation as PN chairman 2. **UMNO Youth Convention** - Debate on staying in or leaving the Unity Government 3. **Perlis Political Turmoil** - Change of Menteri Besar and PAS internal conflicts 4. **PAS-Bersatu Relations** - Tensions within PN between its major component parties 5. **Unity Government Stability** - Questions about BN/UMNO's continued participation --- ## Top Political Topics (Ranked by News Coverage) ### 1. Perikatan Nasional (PN) Leadership Crisis Muhyiddin Yassin resigned as PN chairman, triggering a major leadership vacuum in the opposition coalition. **Key developments:** - Muhyiddin announced resignation as PN chairman on 30 December 2025 - Multiple state PN chiefs resigned (Johor's Dr Sahruddin Jamal, Negeri Sembilan's chairman) - Azmin Ali also resigned as PN Secretary-General - PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang positioned as most likely successor - Bersatu leaders call for Hadi to lead PN **Selected headlines:** - "Hadi: PAS ready to take over PN, leader to be discussed soon" - "Muhyiddin undur: Patut bincang dulu, kata Pemuda PN" - "Johor PN chief Sahruddin resigns" - "PN Supreme Council to discuss, decide next chairman, says PAS" --- ### 2. UMNO Youth Convention & Unity Government Debate UMNO Youth held a special convention on 3 January 2026 to debate whether UMNO should remain in the Pakatan Harapan-led unity government or exit to form an alliance with PAS/PN. **Key developments:** - Dr Akmal Saleh organized the convention with Zahid Hamidi's blessing - Debate centers on UMNO's direction and identity - Nurul Izzah and PKR Youth urged constructive discussion - Analysts say UMNO has more to lose by exiting government - Ahmad Maslan called for careful consideration of seat allocation for upcoming elections **Selected headlines:** - "Pemuda Umno anjur konvensyen, bincang kekal atau keluar dari kerajaan" - "Umno Youth special convention got Zahid's blessing, says Akmal" - "'Jangan takut jadi pembangkang' - Akmal gesa Umno tinggalkan k'jaan perpaduan" - "Umno stands to lose if it quits unity govt, says analyst" - "UMNO, BN perlu teliti pembahagian kerusi 4 pilihan raya akan datang" --- ### 3. Perlis Political Crisis Major political turmoil in Perlis state with changes to the Menteri Besar position and PAS internal conflicts. **Key developments:** - Mohd Shukri was replaced as Perlis MB - New MB (Bersatu chairman of Perlis) sworn in on 28 December - PAS refuses to join state exco in solidarity with former MB - Three Perlis assemblymen appealing PAS membership status - PAS claims no betrayal by Bersatu on MB issue **Selected headlines:** - "Pengerusi Bersatu Perlis angkat sumpah sebagai MB baru" - "PAS will not join Perlis state exco in solidarity with former MB Mohd Shukri" - "Three Perlis assemblymen appeal PAS membership status" - "Kemelut politik Perlis bukan salah Bersatu - Ketua Ulama Pas Perlis" - "Perlis masih Perikatan Nasional - Shahidan" --- ### 4. PAS-Bersatu Relations Strain Growing tensions between PAS and Bersatu within the PN coalition, with calls from some factions to sever ties. **Key developments:** - Selangor PAS Youth urged severing ties with Bersatu - Some Bersatu leaders felt PAS should quit PN - PKR/AMK Selangor urged PAS to leave Bersatu and join Unity Government - Amanah Youth cautioned against inviting PAS to join government - Calls for Muafakat Nasional (UMNO-PAS pact) revival **Selected headlines:** - "Selangor PAS Youth urges severing ties with Bersatu" - "Some Bersatu leaders felt that PAS should quit PN, says source" - "AMK Selangor gesa PAS tinggalkan Bersatu, sertai Kerajaan Perpaduan" - "Muafakat Nasional not a political outfit, says Noh Omar" - "PAS ready to work with UMNO in MN - Shahidan" --- ### 5. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Position Discussion about PM Anwar Ibrahim's position remains secure even if BN exits government. **Key developments:** - Analysts confirm Anwar would remain PM even if BN exits - However, UMNO's survival as a party could be at risk - PMX met with Michelle Yeoh - Government launched Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) **Selected headlines:** - "Anwar kekal PM walau BN keluar k'jaan, tapi apa nasib Umno?" - "Anwar still PM if BN exits, but will Umno survive?" - "Muafakat Madani lebih ikhlas, tiada sabotaj, kata Anwar" --- ### 6. Najib Razak & 1MDB The former PM's legal situation continues to be discussed. **Key developments:** - Hopes for early release after 1MDB conviction have diminished - Comparison with previous stance on house arrest for Anwar **Selected headlines:** - "Sabitan 1MDB: Harapan Najib bebas awal 'berkecai'" - "Dulu Zahid tolak tahanan rumah untuk Anwar" --- ## Article Volume by Date | Date | Political Article Count | |------|------------------------| | 4 Jan 2026 | 149 | | 3 Jan 2026 | 908 | | 2 Jan 2026 | 953 | | 1 Jan 2026 | 842 | | 31 Dec 2025 | 1,126 | | 30 Dec 2025 | 1,441 | | 29 Dec 2025 | 1,189 | | 28 Dec 2025 | 658 | --- ## Key Political Figures Mentioned ### Government - **Anwar Ibrahim** - Prime Minister - **Zahid Hamidi** - UMNO President, Deputy PM - **Dr Akmal Saleh** - UMNO Youth Chief - **Ahmad Maslan** - UMNO Secretary-General - **Nurul Izzah** - PKR Deputy President ### Opposition - **Muhyiddin Yassin** - Former PN Chairman, Bersatu President - **Abdul Hadi Awang** - PAS President - **Azmin Ali** - Former PN Secretary-General - **Shahidan Kassim** - PAS leader - **Dr Sahruddin Jamal** - Former Johor PN Chief - **Sanusi Md Nor** - Kedah MB (mentioned as potential PN leader) ### Regional - **Shafie Apdal** - Warisan President (Sabah) --- ## Key Political Parties & Coalitions | Party/Coalition | Current Status | |----------------|----------------| | **Pakatan Harapan (PH)** | Leading Unity Government | | **Barisan Nasional (BN/UMNO)** | In Unity Government, debating exit | | **Perikatan Nasional (PN)** | Opposition, leadership transition | | **PAS** | PN component, may take over leadership | | **Bersatu** | PN component, weakened after resignations | | **Warisan** | Undecided on by-elections | --- *Generated from Malaysian News Summary database on 4 January 2026* --- # UPDATE: 4 January 2026 (Afternoon) ## Latest Headlines with Source Links ### PN Leadership Crisis & Transition - [Hadi: Pas to pick PN chief candidate next week, not from Bersatu | New Straits Times](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1349025/hadi-pas-pick-pn-chief-candidate-next-week-not-bersatu) - [Hadi: PAS ready to take over PN, leader to be discussed soon](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764735) - [Hadi sahkan PAS akan terajui PN](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764728) - [[UPDATED] Muhyiddin: I'm still Bersatu president, party loyal to PN | New Straits Times](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1348996/updated-muhyiddin-im-still-bersatu-president-party-loyal-pn) - [Bersatu leader calls for constitutional order, unity in PN leadership selection](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764765) - [Abdul Hadi for PN Chief? | The Vibes](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117661/abdul-hadi-for-pn-chief) - [Ketua Bersatu Negeri Sembilan sokong Abdul Hadi jadi Pengerusi PN](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762471/berita/politik/ketua-bersatu-negeri-sembilan-sokong-abdul-hadi-jadi-pengerusi-pn) ### PAS-Bersatu Tensions - [Selangor PAS Youth urges severing ties with Bersatu](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764602) - [Pemuda PAS Selangor desak putus hubungan dengan Bersatu](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764597) - [Some Bersatu leaders felt that PAS should quit PN, says source | FMT](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/12/30/some-bersatu-leaders-felt-that-pas-should-quit-pn-says-source) - [PAS will lead PN, coalition not dying - Bersatu leader](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764613) - [Ahli MPT berpendapat PAS patut keluar PN, kata sumber | FMT](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2025/12/30/ahli-mpt-berpendapat-pas-patut-keluar-pn-kata-sumber) ### UMNO Youth & Unity Government Debate - [Konvensyen Khas Pemuda Umno dapat restu Zahid, kata Akmal](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764815) - [Umno Youth special convention got Zahid's blessing, says Akmal](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764816) - [Umno Youth to propose leaving Madani govt, partnering PAS | The Star](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/03/umno-youth-to-propose-leaving-madani-govt-partnering-pas) - ['Jangan takut jadi pembangkang' - Akmal gesa Umno tinggalkan k'jaan perpaduan](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764810) - [PKR Youth chief urges constructive views at Umno Youth convention](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764808) - [Pemimpin Pemuda Umno tolak gesaan Akmal keluar kerajaan | FMT](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/01/04/pemimpin-pemuda-umno-tolak-gesaan-akmal-keluar-kerajaan) - [Stop triggering us, Ahmad Maslan tells DAP | The Star](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/03/stop-triggering-us-ahmad-maslan-tells-dap) - [Resolusi Pemuda Umno: Hak setiap parti pilih rakan strategik - Fuziah](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764837) ### Perlis Political Situation - [PAS will not join Perlis state exco in solidarity with former MB Mohd Shukri, says party sec-gen | Malay Mail](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/12/30/pas-will-not-join-perlis-state-exco-in-solidarity-with-former-mb-mohd-shukri-says-party-sec-gen/203705) - [Tolak jawatan Exco Perlis bukti kematangan politik Pas - Pas Pahang](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762322/berita/politik/tolak-jawatan-exco-perlis-bukti-kematangan-politik-pas---pas-pahang) - [Bersatu didn't betray us on MB issue, says Perlis Pas leader | New Straits Times](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/1347803/bersatu-didnt-betray-us-mb-issue-says-perlis-pas-leader) - [Perlis PAS wing chief blames key party figures for MB turmoil | FMT](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/12/31/perlis-pas-wing-chief-blames-key-party-figures-for-mb-turmoil) - [Perlis MB says sacked PAS reps may be considered for exco if they regain seats | Malay Mail](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/12/30/perlis-mb-says-sacked-pas-reps-may-be-considered-for-exco-if-they-regain-seats/203771) ### Muafakat Nasional Discussions - [Muafakat sebenar perlu gabungkan UMNO, Bersatu, Pas - Wan Saiful](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762568/berita/politik/muafakat-sebenar-perlu-gabungkan-umno-bersatu-pas-ndash-wan-saiful) - [UMNO leadership yet to consider revival of Muafakat Nasional ties with PAS | The Vibes](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117710/umno-leadership-yet-to-consider-revival-of-muafakat-nasional-ties-with-pas) - [Muafakat Nasional not a political outfit, says Noh Omar | New Straits Times](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/1248247/muafakat-nasional-not-political-outfit-says-noh-omar) ### Unity Government & PM Anwar - [Anwar kekal PM walau BN keluar k'jaan, tapi apa nasib Umno?](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764617) - [Anwar still PM if BN exits, but will Umno survive?](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764616) - [Without Muhyiddin, Azmin, will non-Malays support PN? | FMT](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2025/12/31/without-muhyiddin-azmin-will-non-malay-support-for-pn-wither) ### Today's Developments (4 Jan 2026) - [Hanipa ingatkan pemimpin Amanah berhati-hati kritik PAS](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764822) - [PKR hormati hak parti tentukan rakan kerjasama - Fuziah](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762742/berita/politik/pkr-hormati-hak-parti-tentukan-rakan-kerjasama-ndash-fuziah) ## Updated Article Counts (High Confidence Score >0.99) | Date | Article Count | |------|---------------| | 2026-01-04 | 72 | | 2026-01-03 | 124 | | 2026-01-02 | 144 | | 2026-01-01 | 103 | | 2025-12-31 | 170 | | 2025-12-30 | 390 | | 2025-12-29 | 153 | | 2025-12-28 | 36 | **Total high-confidence political articles (7 days):** 1,192 --- *Updated: 4 January 2026 (Afternoon)*