Malaysian Political Topics - 27 January 2026

Executive Summary

Malaysian politics this week is dominated by five major stories:

1. PN Leadership Crisis - Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as PN chairman (effective 1 Jan) has triggered a power struggle. PAS initially denied Muhyiddin’s continued role, then proposed a Presidential Council compromise. Hadi Awang was not nominated. As of today, the Supreme Council has yet to finalise a decision, with Gerakan and MIPP pushing back against PAS’s move to dominate PN leadership.

2. Kinabatangan & Lamag By-Elections - BN swept both seats on 24 Jan, with Naim Moktar (son of the late Bung Moktar) winning the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat by a large majority. BN and UMNO leaders framed it as proof of continued public support.

3. RUU PSB/URA Withdrawal - The government withdrew the controversial Strata Management Bill (RUU PSB / RUU URA) on 23 Jan after strong opposition from UMNO, particularly Dr Akmal. The Cabinet agreed to improve the bill based on 14 recommendations before re-tabling.

4. Malaysia-US Trade Deal Controversy - PN MPs challenged the constitutionality of the Malaysia-US trade pact (ART), questioning whether it received royal and parliamentary approval. Five PN MPs attempted a court challenge.

5. Melaka & Johor State Election Seat Talks - Amanah demanded fair seat allocation from BN ahead of upcoming state elections, leading to public friction with UMNO Johor calling Amanah “power hungry.”

Topic 1: PN Leadership Crisis - Muhyiddin, PAS & the Chairman Question

The biggest political story this week revolves around the power vacuum at the top of Perikatan Nasional after Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as PN chairman took effect on 1 January 2026.

Key Developments (chronological):

• 20 Jan: PAS claims Muhyiddin should remain as PN chairman based on its muktamar resolution. Speculation begins on successors - Dr Samsuri, Tuan Ibrahim, or Muhyiddin’s return. (Samsuri, Tuan Ibrahim atau Muhyiddin kembali?)

• 22 Jan: Muhyiddin states PN needs to finalise its PM candidate soon. He declares no “grand collaboration” possible while UMNO remains with DAP. (PN needs to finalise PM candidate soon: Muhyiddin) (Tiada ‘kolaborasi agung’ selagi Umno bersama DAP - Muhyiddin)

• 23 Jan: PAS denies Muhyiddin remains chairman. PN says constitutional amendments will be finalised next week. Hadi claims PAS muktamar resolved that PAS should chair PN. (Pas sangkal Muhyiddin kekal Pengerusi PN) (PN to finalise constitutional amendments next week, says Muhyiddin) (Hadi: Muktamar lalu lulus PAS jadi pengerusi PN)

• 24 Jan: Muhyiddin meets Hashim (PAS Perlis) to ease rift rumours, though Bersatu sources say his resignation is final. PAS nominates three names for PN chairperson. (Muhyiddin-Hashim meeting in Perlis puts talk of Bersatu-PAS rift to rest) (PAS nominates three names for PN chairperson - source)

• 25 Jan: PAS Perlis ulama chief prefers Dr Samsuri to lead PN. Ahmad Fadhli tells Perlis MB to stop meddling in PAS affairs. Bersatu leader tells PAS info chief not to be “overly sensitive.” (Saya lebih minat Dr Samsuri terajui PN) (Perlis MB should stop meddling in PAS affairs, says party info chief Ahmad Fadhli) (Don’t be overly sensitive, Bersatu leader tells PAS info chief)

• 26 Jan: Takiyuddin confirms Muhyiddin was NOT invited to the Supreme Council meeting because his resignation took effect 1 Jan. PAS confirms Hadi was not nominated as chairman candidate. PAS says it has no issue with Muhyiddin chairing a proposed Presidential Council. A new “Presidential Council” structure is proposed as a compromise. (Takiyuddin confirms Muhyiddin not invited to PN Supreme Council meeting) (PAS confirms Abdul Hadi Awang will not be nominated for PN chairman) (Muhyiddin no longer PN Supreme Council member, says source) (Sumber: PN nak tubuh majlis presiden sebagai kompromi Muhyiddin, PAS)

• 27 Jan: Gerakan and MIPP push back against PAS’s move to lead PN. PN in a “dilemma” as Hadi rejects the chairmanship. The Supreme Council has yet to decide on the executive council and constitutional amendments for the presidential council. (Gerakan, MIPP push back against Pas move to lead PN) (PN dalam dilema apabila Hadi tolak jawatan pengerusi) (PN yet to decide on executive council, amendments for presidential council)

Also Related:

• Bersatu in turmoil; members may join UMNO. (Bersatu bergolak, ahli mungkin masuk Umno)
• MIC discussing joining PN despite prior approval to do so. (MIC to discuss joining PN despite prior approval)

Topic 2: Kinabatangan & Lamag By-Elections - BN Sweeps Both Seats

The by-elections were triggered by the death of Bung Moktar Radin. His son, Naim Moktar, contested and won.

Key Headlines:

• BN sweeps Kinabatangan by-election, retains Lamag state seat (24 Jan)
• BN pertahan kerusi Parlimen Kinabatangan, Naim Moktar menang majoriti besar (24 Jan)
• Kemenangan BN di Kinabatangan, Lamag cerminkan keyakinan rakyat - Ahmad Zahid (24 Jan)
• Kinabatangan and Lamag wins prove public support for BN remains strong (25 Jan)
• BN’s victory in Kinabatangan, Lamag doesn’t mean it can relax (26 Jan)
• Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar to be sworn as Kinabatangan MP on Jan 27 (26 Jan)

Voter turnout: 55.06% for Kinabatangan, 64.93% for Lamag.

Topic 3: RUU PSB / RUU URA Withdrawal

The Public Service Bill (RUU PSB) / Urban Renewal Authority Bill (RUU URA) was withdrawn by the Cabinet on 23 Jan after strong UMNO opposition.

Key Headlines:

• Dr Akmal seru ahli Parlimen BN tolak RUU PSB (23 Jan) - Akmal urged BN MPs to reject the bill
• Kerajaan tarik balik RUU PSB, akan ditambah baik (23 Jan) - Government withdraws the bill
• Umno sambut baik keputusan tarik balik pembentangan RUU URA (23 Jan) - UMNO welcomes the withdrawal
• Penangguhan pembentangan RUU PSB ambil kira 14 syor - Ahmad Zahid (23 Jan) - Postponement incorporates 14 recommendations
• RUU PSB: Apa peranan Umno jika ikut gesaan Akmal keluar kerajaan? (24 Jan) - Commentary on what happens if UMNO follows Akmal’s push to leave govt
• RUU URA: Bukti UMNO Bawa Suara Rakyat (26 Jan) - UMNO claims credit for representing the people’s voice

Topic 4: Malaysia-US Trade Deal (ART Pact) Controversy

PN MPs have mounted legal and parliamentary challenges against the Malaysia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).

Key Headlines:

• PN MPs seek to challenge ‘unconstitutional’ M’sia-US trade deal in court (20 Jan)
• Perjanjian ART Malaysia-AS Belum Dikuatkuasakan - PM Anwar (20 Jan) - PM says ART not yet enforced
• Opposition MP flags GLC, GLIC concerns over Malaysia-US trade pact (21 Jan)
• Perjanjian dagangan tak ikat Malaysia bergantung penuh teknologi nuklear AS (22 Jan)
• Perjanjian M’sia-AS: MP Gerik dakwa Anwar belakangkan Parlimen, Majlis Raja-Raja (26 Jan) - MP accuses Anwar of sidelining Parliament and the Conference of Rulers
• PN MP questions if US trade deal received royal, parliamentary nod (26 Jan)

Topic 5: Melaka & Johor State Election Seat Allocation

With state elections approaching, tensions are rising between coalition partners over seat distribution.

Key Headlines:

• Amanah urges BN to be open to seat talks ahead of Melaka, Johor polls (25 Jan)
• Umno Youth, Amanah butt heads over Malacca, Johor seats (25 Jan)
• PRN Melaka, Johor: Amanah tuntut agihan kerusi seimbang daripada BN (25 Jan)
• PRN Melaka, Johor: BN belum buat apa-apa keputusan - Tok Mat (26 Jan) - BN says no decision made yet
• Amanah Johor gila kuasa, kata Setiausaha UMNO Johor (27 Jan) - UMNO Johor accuses Amanah of being power-hungry
• Agihan kerusi: Pertelingkahan Umno, Amanah tak berpijak di bumi nyata (27 Jan)

Other Notable Political Developments

Anwar Denies Ceding Land to Indonesia

PM Anwar denied reports that Malaysia handed over 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia in the Sabah-Kalimantan border area. - Anwar denies Putrajaya ceded land to Indonesia (24 Jan) - Anwar clarifies Indonesia border deal status (25 Jan)

Tengku Zafrul Appointed to PKR Political Bureau

Former Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul was appointed to PKR’s political bureau, signalling deeper integration into the party. - Tengku Zafrul dilantik ke biro politik PKR (25 Jan) - PKR appoints Tengku Zafrul to political bureau as party sets 2026 national congress (26 Jan)

PM Term Limit Proposal

Azalina invites public to participate in a study on PM term limits. Opposition sets condition: finance portfolio must also be limited. - Rakyat Dipelawa Sertai Kajian Had Jawatan PM - Azalina (22 Jan) - Govt opens survey on proposed PM term limit (21 Jan) - Opposition sets finance portfolio condition to back PM term limit (20 Jan)

Terengganu PH Ready to Go Solo

• Terengganu PH ready to go solo in next general election, says state chief (23 Jan)

Malay Support for UMNO at 28%

• Sokongan Melayu cuma 28%, Ismail Sabri gesa UMNO terima realiti (20 Jan) - Former PM Ismail Sabri urges UMNO to face reality of low Malay support

Political Article Counts (Last 14 Days)

Key Political Figures This Week