# Malaysian Political Topics Report **Date: 6 January 2026** ## Executive Summary The Malaysian political landscape this week is dominated by **five major developments**: 1. **PN Leadership Transition** - Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation as PN chairman has triggered intense speculation about his successor, with Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (Terengganu MB) emerging as the leading candidate after meeting Muhyiddin with Hadi Awang's mandate. 2. **UMNO Youth Convention Controversy** - Dr. Akmal Saleh's push to exit the Unity Government and revive Muafakat Nasional with PAS has been firmly rejected by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who reaffirmed UMNO's commitment to the coalition. 3. **Dr. Mahathir Hospitalization** - The 100-year-old former PM was admitted to IJN after a fall at home, suffering a right hip fracture requiring several weeks of treatment. 4. **PM Term Limit Bill** - PM Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to table legislation limiting PM tenure to 10 years (two terms), receiving broad support across parties. 5. **Muafakat Nasional Revival Debate** - Calls to revive the UMNO-PAS pact have been dismissed by both Anwar and Zahid, though some PAS leaders have signaled interest. --- ## Top Political Topics ### 1. PN Leadership Succession Crisis Following Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation as Perikatan Nasional chairman on 30 December, the opposition coalition is navigating a complex leadership transition. **Key Developments:** - [Hadi: PAS to pick PN chief candidate next week, not from Bersatu](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1349025/hadi-pas-pick-pn-chief-candidate-next-week-not-bersatu) (2 Jan) - [Is Dr Ahmad Samsuri the next PN chief?](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1351515/dr-ahmad-samsuri-next-pn-chief) (6 Jan) - [Photo of meeting with Muhyiddin reinforces speculation Samsuri is new PN chairman](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117866/photo-of-meeting-with-muhyiddin-reinforces-speculation-samsuri-is-new-pn-chairman) (6 Jan) - [Samsuri bertemu Muhyiddin atas mandat Hadi](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764982) (6 Jan) - [Muhyiddin's PN exit a 'masterstroke', says Bersatu veteran](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/01/03/muhyiddins-pn-exit-a-masterstroke-says-bersatu-veteran) (3 Jan) - [Muhyiddin could still be PM despite resigning as PN chief, analysts say](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/01/05/muhyiddin-could-still-be-pm-despite-resigning-as-pn-chief-analysts-say) (5 Jan) **Analysis:** PAS is positioned to take over PN leadership, with Ahmad Samsuri emerging as the consensus candidate. Muhyiddin retains his position as Bersatu president and remains loyal to PN. --- ### 2. UMNO Youth Convention & Unity Government Tensions UMNO Youth chief Dr. Akmal Saleh held a special convention proposing UMNO exit from the Unity Government, sparking internal party conflict. **Key Developments:** - [Umno Youth to propose leaving Madani govt, partnering PAS](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/03/umno-youth-to-propose-leaving-madani-govt-partnering-pas) (3 Jan) - ['Jangan takut jadi pembangkang' - Akmal gesa Umno tinggalkan k'jaan perpaduan](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764810) (3 Jan) - [Akmal disobeyed Zahid twice, claims Umno Supreme Council member](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/01/05/akmal-disobeyed-zahid-twice-claims-umno-supreme-council-member) (5 Jan) - [Akmal could ruin Umno's biggest edge over PN, says analyst](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/01/06/akmal-could-ruin-umnos-biggest-edge-over-pn-says-analyst) (6 Jan) - [BN tolak 'tebuk atap', kekal bersama Kerajaan Perpaduan - Ahmad Zahid](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762950/berita/politik/bn-tolak-tebuk-atap-kekal-bersama-kerajaan-perpaduan---ahmad-zahid) (6 Jan) - [Zahid: We won't be bitten by same snake twice, Umno to stay with govt](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764975) (6 Jan) **Analysis:** Zahid has firmly rejected Akmal's proposals, stating UMNO will not repeat past mistakes. The party remains committed to the Unity Government through the current term. --- ### 3. Dr. Mahathir Hospitalization **Key Developments:** - [Tun Dr Mahathir hospitalised at IJN](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117854/tun-dr-mahathir-hospitalised-at-ijn) (6 Jan) - [Dr Mahathir suffers hip fracture, expected to remain at IJN for several weeks](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/06/dr-mahathir-suffers-hip-fracture-expected-to-remain-at-ijn-for-several-weeks/204529) (6 Jan) - [Daughter: Dr Mahathir's condition after fall 'serious, but not dangerous'](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/06/daughter-dr-mahathirs-condition-after-fall-serious-but-not-dangerous/204533) (6 Jan) - [Anwar sends prayers for Dr Mahathir's recovery after admission to IJN](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/06/anwar-sends-prayers-for-dr-mahathirs-recovery-after-admission-to-ijn/204507) (6 Jan) --- ### 4. PM Term Limit Legislation PM Anwar announced plans to introduce a 10-year (two-term) limit on the Prime Minister's tenure. **Key Developments:** - [RUU pemisahan pendakwa raya-AG, had penggal PM dibentang tahun ini](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764883) (5 Jan) - [Bersih sambut baik keputusan Anwar perkenalkan had penggal PM](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764914) (5 Jan) - [DPM: Term limit ushers in significant renewal within the country's political system](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117855/dpm-term-limit-ushers-in-significant-renewal-within-the-countrys-political-system) (6 Jan) - [Had Tempoh Jawatan PM Pencetus Perubahan Tadbir Urus Negara - Ahmad Zahid](https://umno-online.my/2026/01/06/had-tempoh-jawatan-pm-pencetus-perubahan-tadbir-urus-negara-ahmad-zahid/) (6 Jan) - [DAP S'wak welcomes PM term limit, says earlier move could have prevented Mahathir-era abuses, 1MDB scandal](https://dayakdaily.com/dap-swak-welcomes-pm-term-limit-says-earlier-move-could-have-prevented-mahathir-era-abuses-1mdb-scandal/) (6 Jan) --- ### 5. Muafakat Nasional Revival Talks **Key Developments:** - [Akmal: Umno Youth ready act as 'bridge' to revive Muafakat Nasional](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1349698/akmal-umno-youth-ready-act-bridge-revive-muafakat-nasional) (3 Jan) - [Anwar brushes aside talk of Muafakat revival, says unity govt unshakeable](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/01/02/anwar-brushes-aside-talk-of-muafakat-revival-says-unity-govt-unshakable) (2 Jan) - [Zahid: Umno will not make the same mistake twice, no plan to revive Muafakat pact with PAS](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/06/zahid-umno-will-not-make-the-same-mistake-twice-no-plan-to-revive-muafakat-pact-with-pas/204483) (6 Jan) - [UMNO leadership yet to consider revival of Muafakat Nasional ties with PAS](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117710/umno-leadership-yet-to-consider-revival-of-muafakat-nasional-ties-with-pas) (2 Jan) --- ## Article Counts by Date | Date | Article Count | |------|---------------| | 6 Jan 2026 | 1,128 | | 5 Jan 2026 | 1,997 | | 4 Jan 2026 | 1,598 | | 3 Jan 2026 | 1,579 | | 2 Jan 2026 | 1,690 | | 1 Jan 2026 | 1,455 | | 31 Dec 2025 | 1,787 | | 30 Dec 2025 | 302 | **Total Political News Articles (7 days):** ~11,536 --- ## Key Political Figures Mentioned | Figure | Role | Key Context | |--------|------|-------------| | **Muhyiddin Yassin** | Bersatu President, Former PN Chairman | Resigned as PN chairman; met with Ahmad Samsuri | | **Ahmad Zahid Hamidi** | UMNO President, Deputy PM | Rejected Akmal's proposals; reaffirmed Unity Govt commitment | | **Abdul Hadi Awang** | PAS President | Set to lead PN; mandated Samsuri to meet Muhyiddin | | **Dr. Akmal Saleh** | UMNO Youth Chief | Pushed for Unity Govt exit; faced internal backlash | | **Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar** | Terengganu MB | Frontrunner for PN chairman position | | **Anwar Ibrahim** | Prime Minister | On official visit to Turkey; announced PM term limit bill | | **Dr. Mahathir Mohamad** | Former PM | Hospitalized at IJN with hip fracture | | **Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man** | PAS Deputy President | Downplayed PN chairman speculation | | **Hamzah Zainudin** | Opposition Leader | Denied resignation rumors | --- --- ## UPDATE (Latest Developments - 6 January 2026 Evening) ### Bersatu Sacks Saifuddin Abdullah Bersatu expelled Supreme Council member and former Foreign Minister **Saifuddin Abdullah** with immediate effect on 6 January 2026, signaling continued internal party instability. **Key Headlines:** - [Bersatu sacks Supreme Council member Saifuddin Abdullah](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1351763/updated-bersatu-sacks-supreme-council-member-saifuddin-abdullah) - NST - [Bersatu pecat Saifuddin Abdullah](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/765024) - Malaysiakini - [Bersatu sacks Saifuddin Abdullah](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/06/bersatu-sacks-saifuddin-abdullah) - The Star - [Bersatu sacks Saifuddin Abdullah effective today](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/765019) - Malaysiakini Saifuddin stated he will appeal the decision. This comes amid ongoing turbulence in Bersatu following multiple leadership resignations. ### Military Corruption Scandal Deepens MACC has intensified its investigation into corruption in Malaysian Army procurement: - **17 company directors remanded** for suspected involvement in army procurement corruption - **26 companies under investigation** by MACC - Senior military officers identified as main suspects **Headlines:** - [17 pengarah syarikat direman disyaki terlibat rasuah perolehan Tentera Darat](https://www.kosmo.com.my/2026/01/06/17-pengarah-syarikat-direman-disyaki-terlibat-rasuah-perolehan-tentera-darat/) - Kosmo - [Rasuah tender perolehan Tentera Darat: SPRM siasat 26 syarikat](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762885/berita/semasa/rasuah-tender-perolehan-tentera-darat-sprm-siasat-26-syarikat) - Sinar Harian ### Jana Wibawa Scandal A Bersatu division chief was charged with receiving RM1.1 million in assets linked to the Jana Wibawa corruption case: - [Jana Wibawa: Ketua Bahagian Bersatu didakwa terima wang, aset RM1.1 juta](https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/2026/01/jana-wibawa-ketua-bahagian-bersatu-didakwa-terima-wang-aset-rm1-1-juta/) - Utusan ### Sabah By-Elections Update The Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections are seen as a litmus test for Sabah's Unity Government: - Warisan has named candidates: Saddi for Kinabatangan, Mazliwati for Lamag - BN expects smooth contests; Zahid sends well wishes to candidates **Headlines:** - [Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections seen as litmus test for Sabah's unity govt](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/06/kinabatangan-and-lamag-by-elections-seen-as-litmus-test-for-sabah039s-unity-govt) - The Star - [Warisan names Kinabatangan and Lamag candidates](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/06/warisan-names-kinabatangan-and-lamag-candidates) - The Star - [PRK Lamag, Kinabatangan: Semoga Kemenangan Kepada Calon Kita - Ahmad Zahid](https://umno-online.my/2026/01/06/prk-lamag-kinabatangan-semoga-kemenangan-kepada-calon-kita-ahmad-zahid/) - UMNO Online --- *Report generated: 6 January 2026* *Updated: 6 January 2026 (Evening)*