# Malaysian Political Topics Report **Date:** 7 January 2026 **Coverage Period:** 31 December 2025 - 6 January 2026 --- ## Executive Summary The Malaysian political landscape this week is dominated by **five major developments**: 1. **Perikatan Nasional (PN) Leadership Crisis** - Muhyiddin Yassin has stepped down as PN chairman, with PAS set to take over leadership. Ahmad Samsuri (Terengganu MB) is emerging as the likely successor after meeting Muhyiddin with Hadi's mandate. 2. **UMNO-PAS-Bersatu Dynamics** - UMNO Youth's special convention called for leaving the Unity Government and partnering with PAS, but UMNO President Zahid Hamidi firmly rejected this, reaffirming commitment to the Unity Government. 3. **Saifuddin Abdullah Sacked by Bersatu** - Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah was expelled from Bersatu effective 6 January 2026, following internal party tensions. 4. **Dr. Mahathir Hospitalized** - Tun Dr. Mahathir (100 years old) was admitted to IJN after a fall at home, suffering a right hip fracture. Expected to remain hospitalized for several weeks. 5. **PM Term Limit Bill** - The government announced plans to introduce legislation limiting the Prime Minister's tenure to a maximum of 10 years (two terms), receiving broad support. --- ## Top Political Topics ### 1. PN Leadership Transition **What happened:** Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down as PN Chairman, triggering a leadership vacuum. PAS has signaled its readiness to take over the coalition. **Key developments:** - Hadi Awang confirmed PAS will lead PN; candidate to be announced soon - Ahmad Samsuri (Terengganu MB) met Muhyiddin with Hadi's blessing, fueling succession speculation - Bersatu leaders express support for Hadi as new PN chairman - Internal PN turmoil cited as reason for Muhyiddin's resignation - PAS Youth Selangor urged party to cut ties with Bersatu **Key Headlines:** - [Muhyiddin-Samsuri meeting had Hadi's blessing, says PAS MP](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764999) - [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) - [Is Dr Ahmad Samsuri the next PN chief?](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1351515/dr-ahmad-samsuri-next-pn-chief) - [Hadi: PAS ready to take over PN, leader to be discussed soon](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764735) - ['Tiada jentikan ghaib, Muhyiddin sudah di penghujung dalam PN'](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764949) - [PAS denies political talks with Anwar amid PN turmoil](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/01/06/pas-denies-political-talks-with-anwar-amid-pn-turmoil) --- ### 2. UMNO Youth Convention & Party Direction **What happened:** UMNO Youth held a special convention where Chief Akmal Saleh proposed leaving the Unity Government and partnering with PAS. However, UMNO President Zahid Hamidi rejected this, affirming UMNO will remain with the Unity Government until GE16. **Key developments:** - Akmal urged UMNO to leave the Unity Government and explore PAS partnership - Zahid Hamidi firmly rejected "tebuk atap" (betrayal), committing to Unity Government - Convention received Zahid's blessing but Zahid did not endorse all resolutions - Internal UMNO friction between Youth wing and senior leadership - Analysts warn Akmal's stance could erode UMNO's advantages over PN **Key Headlines:** - [Konvensyen Khas Pemuda Umno dapat restu Zahid, kata Akmal](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764815) - [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) - ['Jangan takut jadi pembangkang' - Akmal gesa Umno tinggalkan k'jaan perpaduan](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764810) - [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) - [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) - [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) --- ### 3. Saifuddin Abdullah Expelled from Bersatu **What happened:** Bersatu sacked Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota MP) from the party effective 6 January 2026. **Key developments:** - Expulsion effective immediately - Saifuddin stated he will file an appeal - Prior to expulsion, Saifuddin praised UMNO's "political maturity" in staying with Unity Government - He described UMNO's role as significant in ensuring government stability **Key Headlines:** - [Bersatu sacks Saifuddin Abdullah effective today](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/765019) - [Bersatu pecat Saifuddin Abdullah](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/765024) - [Bersatu sacks Saifuddin Abdullah](https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/06/bersatu-sacks-saifuddin-abdullah) - [Saifuddin praises Umno's political maturity in ensuring unity government stability](https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/1351725/saifuddin-praises-umnos-political-maturity-ensuring-unity-government) - [Saifuddin lauds Umno's 'politically mature' decision to remain in govt](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/765011) --- ### 4. Tun Dr. Mahathir Hospitalized **What happened:** Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (100) was admitted to Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) on 6 January 2026 after falling at his residence and suffering a right hip fracture. **Key developments:** - Hip fracture confirmed; expected to remain at IJN for several weeks - Daughter Marina confirmed condition is "serious but not dangerous" - PM Anwar and wife Wan Azizah prayed for his swift recovery - Press secretary confirmed the injury and treatment timeline **Key Headlines:** - [Tun Dr Mahathir hospitalised at IJN](https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/117854/tun-dr-mahathir-hospitalised-at-ijn) - [Tun Dr Mahathir Patah Tulang Pinggul, Dijangka Dirawat Beberapa Minggu](https://www.1media.my/2026/01/tun-dr-mahathir-patah-tulang-pinggul.html) - [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) - [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) - [Anwar, Wan Azizah Pray For Mahathir's Swift Recovery](http://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2509374) --- ### 5. PM Term Limit Bill **What happened:** The government announced plans to introduce legislation limiting the Prime Minister's tenure to a maximum of 10 years (two five-year terms), with bills to be tabled this year. **Key developments:** - Bill to separate Attorney General and Public Prosecutor also planned - Bersih welcomed the announcement - DPM says term limit ushers in "significant renewal" in political system - UMNO Negeri Sembilan supports extending term limits to Menteri Besar positions - Government to hold meetings with political party chiefs on the proposals - DAP Sarawak noted earlier implementation could have prevented past abuses **Key Headlines:** - [Bersih sambut baik keputusan Anwar perkenalkan had penggal PM](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764914) - [RUU pemisahan pendakwa raya-AG, had penggal PM dibentang tahun ini](https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/764883) - [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) - [Had tempoh jawatan PM mampu elak pemusatan kuasa seorang pemimpin](https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2026/01/1307779/had-tempoh-jawatan-pm-mampu-elak-pemusatan-kuasa-seorang-pemimpin) - [UMNO Negeri Sembilan sokong had tempoh MB ikut jawatan PM tidak lebih 10 tahun](https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/762991/berita/semasa/video-umno-negeri-sembilan-sokong-had-tempoh-mb-ikut-jawatan-pm-tidak-lebih-10-tahun) --- ## Article Counts by Date | Date | Political Articles | |------|-------------------| | 6 Jan 2026 | 1,727 | | 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 | | **Total** | **11,833** | --- ## Key Political Figures Mentioned ### Government / Unity Coalition - **Anwar Ibrahim** - Prime Minister - **Ahmad Zahid Hamidi** - UMNO President, Deputy Prime Minister - **Azalina Othman Said** - Minister (PM term limit discussions) - **Saifuddin Nasution** - Home Minister - **Fuziah Salleh** - PKR leader ### UMNO - **Dr. Akmal Saleh** - UMNO Youth Chief - **Puad Zarkashi** - UMNO leader - **Ahmad Maslan** - UMNO Secretary-General - **Noh Omar** - UMNO leader ### PAS / Perikatan Nasional - **Abdul Hadi Awang** - PAS President - **Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar** - Terengganu MB, potential PN chairman - **Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man** - PAS Deputy President - **Muhyiddin Yassin** - Former PN Chairman, Bersatu President - **Sanusi Md Nor** - Kedah MB ### Bersatu - **Saifuddin Abdullah** - Expelled Supreme Council member - **Mas Ermieyati Samsudin** - Bersatu Melaka leader - **Wan Saiful Wan Jan** - Bersatu leader ### Others - **Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad** - Former PM (hospitalized) - **Wan Ji** - Left PKR - **Hanipa Maidin** - Amanah leader --- ## Analysis The political week has been marked by significant realignment pressures: 1. **PN in flux** - With Muhyiddin stepping down, PAS is asserting dominance over the coalition. The transition to Ahmad Samsuri as chairman would cement PAS's control while maintaining a semblance of multi-party coalition. 2. **UMNO at crossroads** - The youth wing's push to leave the Unity Government and partner with PAS was decisively shut down by Zahid. This suggests the senior leadership recognizes the risks of repeating past Muafakat failures. 3. **Unity Government stability** - Despite internal UMNO tensions, Zahid's firm commitment to remain with the government until GE16 provides stability to the Anwar administration. 4. **Institutional reforms** - The PM term limit bill represents a significant democratic reform that has garnered cross-party support, potentially a legacy-defining move for the current administration. --- *Report generated: 7 January 2026*