Hamzah Zainudin
{{short description|Leader of the Opposition (Malaysia) (since 2022)}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Malay name|Hamzah|Zainudin|note=on}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri
| name = Hamzah Zainudin
| native_name = {{lang|ms|{{Script|Arab|حمزة زين الدين}}}}
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|size=100|country=MYS|SPMP (Perak)|SSAP|SPDK|DPTJ|KMN|DPMP (Perak)|PMP (Perak)|PPT (Perak)|JP|MP}}
| image = File:Hamzah Zainudin 2024-11-17.jpg
| caption = Hamzah in 2024
| birth_name = Hamzah bin Zainudin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|03|12|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://pru.sinarharian.com.my/calon/142/HAMZAH-ZAINUDIN|title=Calon PRU Hamzah Zainudin|website=pru.sinarharian.com.my}}
| birth_place = Perak, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia){{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
| residence =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| office = 17th Leader of the Opposition
| monarch = Abdullah
{{small|(2022–2024)}}
Ibrahim Iskandar
{{small|(since 2024)}}
| primeminister = Anwar Ibrahim
| term_start = 10 December 2022
| term_end =
| predecessor = Anwar Ibrahim
| successor =
| constituency = Larut
| office1 = Minister of Home Affairs
| term_start1 = 30 August 2021
| term_end1 = 24 November 2022
| predecessor1 = Himself
| successor1 = Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
| primeminister1 = Ismail Sabri Yaakob
| constituency1 = Larut
| deputy1 = Ismail Mohamed Said
Jonathan Yasin
| monarch1 = Abdullah
| term_start2 = 10 March 2020
| term_end2 = 16 August 2021
| predecessor2 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| primeminister2 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| constituency2 = Larut
| deputy2 = Ismail Mohamed Said
Jonathan Yasin
| monarch2 = Abdullah
| successor2 = Himself
| office3 = Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism
| term_start3 = 29 July 2015
| term_end3 = 10 May 2018
| predecessor3 = Hasan Malek
| primeminister3 = Najib Razak
| constituency3 = Larut
| deputy3 = Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah
{{small|(2015–2016)}}
Henry Sum Agong
{{small|(2016–2018)}}
| monarch3 = Abdul Halim
{{small|(2015–2016)}}
Muhammad V
{{small|(2016–2018)}}
| successor3 = Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
{{small|(Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumerism)}}
Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof
{{small|(Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives)}}
| office4 = Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
| monarch4 = Abdul Halim
| primeminister4 = Najib Razak
| constituency4 = Larut
| term_start4 = 16 May 2013
| term_end4 = 29 July 2015
| successor4 = Reezal Merican Naina Merican
| predecessor4 = A Kohillan Pillay
Richard Riot Jaem
| minister4 = Anifah Aman
| office5 = Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities
| monarch5 = Mizan Zainal Abidin
{{small|(2009–2011)}}
Abdul Halim
{{small|(2011–2013)}}
| primeminister5 = Najib Razak
| minister5 = Bernard Giluk Dompok
| term_start5 = 10 April 2009
| constituency5 = Larut
| term_end5 = 15 May 2013
| predecessor5 = A Kohillan Pillay
| successor5 = Noriah Kasnon
| alongside5 = G. Palanivel {{small|(2010–2011)}}
| office6 = Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government
| primeminister6 = Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
| term_start6 = 19 March 2008
| term_end6 = 9 April 2009
| alongside6 = Robert Lau Hoi Chew
| constituency6 = Larut
| minister6 = Ong Ka Chuan
| monarch6 = Mizan Zainal Abidin
| successor6 = Lajim Ukin
| predecessor6 = Azizah Mohd Dun
| constituency_MP7 = Larut
| parliament7 = Malaysian
| term_start7 = 8 March 2008
| term_end7 =
| majority7 = 1,911 (2008)
5,296 (2013)
4,486 (2018)
11,598 (2022)
| predecessor7 = Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar
(BN–UMNO)
| successor7 =
| office8 = Senator
{{small|Elected by the Perak State Legislative Assembly}}
| term_start8 = 8 September 2000
| term_end8 = 16 September 2006
{{small|(Gap 8–16 September 2003)}}
| monarch8 = Salahuddin
{{small|(2000–2001)}}
Syed Sirajuddin
{{small|(2001–2006)}}
| primeminister8 = Mahathir Mohamad
{{small|(2000–2003)}}
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
{{small|(2003–2006)}}
| predecessor8 = Mustaffa Kamal Mohd. Nawi
| office9 = Deputy Chairman of Perikatan Nasional
| alongside9 = Abdul Hadi Awang & Dominic Lau Hoe Chai & Punithan Paramsiven
| 2blankname9 = Chairman
| 2namedata9 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| term_start9 = 9 December 2024
| term_end9 =
| predecessor9 = Ahmad Faizal Azumu
| successor9 =
| office10 = 3rd Deputy President of the
Malaysian United Indigenous Party
| president10 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| term_start10 = 4 November 2024
| term_end10 =
| predecessor10 = Ahmad Faizal Azumu
| successor10 =
| office11 = 1st Secretary-General of Perikatan Nasional
| 2blankname11 = Chairman
| 2namedata11 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| term_start11 = 18 March 2020
| term_end11 = 9 December 2024
| predecessor11 = Position established
| successor11 = Azmin Ali
| office12 = 3rd Secretary-General of the
Malaysian United Indigenous Party
| 2blankname12 = Chairman
| 2namedata12 = Muhyiddin Yassin
{{small|(Acting, February–August 2020)}}
| president12 = Muhyiddin Yassin
| term_start12 = 18 March 2020
| term_end12 = 28 November 2024
| predecessor12 = Marzuki Yahya
| successor12 = Azmin Ali
| office13 = Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat
| subterm13 = 2008–2018
| suboffice13 = Barisan Nasional
| subterm14 = 2018–2019
| suboffice14 = Independent
| subterm15 = 2019–2020
| suboffice15 = Pakatan Harapan
| subterm16 = 2020
| suboffice16 = Malaysian United Indigenous Party
| subterm17 = 2020–
| suboffice17 = Perikatan Nasional
| office18 = Faction represented in Dewan Negara
| subterm18 = 2000–2006
| suboffice18 = Barisan Nasional
| citizenship = Malaysian
| party = United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
{{small|(–2018)}}
Independent
{{small|(2018–2019)}}
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU)
{{small|(since 2019)}}
| otherparty = Barisan Nasional (BN)
{{small|(–2018)}}
Pakatan Harapan (PH)
{{small|(2018–2020)}}
Perikatan Nasional (PN)
{{small|(since 2020)}}
| occupation = Politician
| spouse = {{marriage|Noraini Abdul Rashid|1981|1996|end=divorced}}
Norashikin Abdul Ghani
| children = 5
| alma_mater = University of Technology Malaysia (Dip)
| education = Tuanku Abdul Rahman School
| signature = Hamzah Zainudin Signature in 2024.png
| website =
| footnotes =
| alongside8 =
Tan Ek Huat {{small|(2000)}}
Yew Thuan Chiew {{small|(2000–2003)}}
Chiam Yong Tee {{small|(2003–2006)}}
| successor8 = Azlan Osman
}}
Hamzah bin Zainudin ({{langx|ms-Arab|حمزة بن زين الدين|label=Jawi}}; born 12 March 1957) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the 17th Leader of the Opposition since December 2022{{cite web |title=Hansard |url=https://www.parlimen.gov.my/files/hindex/pdf/DR-19122022.pdf#page=26 |pages=19,20 |publisher=Dewan Rakyat |access-date=22 December 2022 |date=19 December 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/12/10/hamzah-selected-to-be-opposition-leader-in-parliament-says-takiyuddin|title=Hamzah selected to be Opposition leader in Parliament, says Takiyuddin|website=The Star|date=10 December 2022|accessdate=11 December 2022}} and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Larut since March 2008. He served as the Minister of Home Affairs for the second term in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022 and the first term in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021, Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities and Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government in the BN administration under former prime ministers Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Razak from March 2008 to the collapse of the BN administration in May 2018 as well as a senator from September 2000 to September 2006. He is a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition and was a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. He has also served as the Deputy Chairman of PN since December 2024 and 3rd Deputy President of BERSATU since November 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/04/ahmad-faizal-announced-as-new-bersatu-vice-president|title=Bersatu polls: Muhyiddin, Hamzah win top two posts uncontested, Ahmad Faizal is VP|website=The Star|date=4 November 2024|accessdate=4 November 2024}} He also served as the 1st Secretary-General of PN from March 2020 to December 2024 and the 3rd Secretary-General of BERSATU from March 2020 to November 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.therakyatpost.com/2021/06/16/from-property-to-politics-who-is-hamzah-zainudin/|title=From Property To Politics: Who Is Hamzah Zainudin? Malaysia's Home Minister was a business man before turning to politics|author=Maya Suraya|date=16 June 2021|website=The Rakyat Post|access-date=28 August 2021}}
Early life and education
Hamzah was born on 12 March 1957 in Perak, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia).{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} He was a student at Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR).{{cite web|url=http://aksimuda.com.my/hamzah-zainudin-daripada-samseng-di-sekolah-kepada-samseng-di-pentas-politik/|title=Hamzah Zainudin, daripada Samseng di Sekolah kepada Samseng di Pentas Politik|work=Aksi Muda|accessdate=24 March 2022|archive-date=30 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130233008/http://aksimuda.com.my/hamzah-zainudin-daripada-samseng-di-sekolah-kepada-samseng-di-pentas-politik/|url-status=dead}} He received his Diploma in Quantity Surveying from University of Technology Malaysia in 1975.{{cite web|url=https://news.utm.my/ms/2020/03/enam-alumni-utm-dilantik-terajui-negara/|title=Enam Alumni UTM Dilantik Terajui Negara|work=UTM News|date=11 March 2020 |accessdate=24 March 2022}}
Early career
He served as the General Manager with Maju Bangun Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary company of the Perak State Development Corporation from 1980 till 1987. He has also served as a member of the board of Ipoh City Council and Stadium Merdeka Corporation from 1987 to 1993 and 1991 to 1997 respectively. In 1989, he ventured into private business and sat on several companies listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (known then as the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange). He held various chairman and deputy chairman duties, including chairman of FELCRA Berhad, the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority that oversees land management and development of agro land owned by the individuals and states.{{Cite news
|last = Leoi Leoi
|first = Sim
|title = Felcra reminded of its social obligations
|newspaper = The Star (Malaysia)
|date = 19 April 2003
|url = http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/4/19/nation/llfelcra&sec=nation
|access-date = 2 January 2009
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604050621/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2003%2F4%2F19%2Fnation%2Fllfelcra&sec=nation
|archive-date = 4 June 2011
|df = dmy-all
}}
Political career
Hamzah was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2008 election and was appointed a Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government.{{Cite web| title =Malaysia Decides 2008| work =The Star (Malaysia)| url =http://thestar.com.my/election/results2004/01/01p.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080821190605/http://thestar.com.my/election/results2004/01/01p.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =21 August 2008| access-date =2 January 2010}}{{Cite news
| title = Branch Offices of Solid Waste Management Corporation To Be Set Up
| newspaper = Berita Wilayah
| date = 30 March 2008
| url = http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=323591&cat=et
| access-date = 2 January 2009}} He was previously a member of the Malaysian Senate.{{Cite news| title =Don't sideline Umno, BN elected reps told| newspaper =Daily Express (East Malaysia)| date =20 August 2006| url =http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/print.cfm?NewsID=43911| access-date =2 January 2009| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110603233203/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/print.cfm?NewsID=43911| archive-date =3 June 2011| df =dmy-all}}
He served as the Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities and Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former prime ministers Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Razak from March 2008 to the defeat of BN in the 2018 general election in May 2018. He has also served as the member of parliament (MP) for Larut since March 2008. Presently he is a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and its 3rd secretary-general since March 2020, a component party of the ruling PN coalition and he also serves as its 1st secretary-general since August 2020. He was a member of the then-ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the BN coalition.{{cite web|url=http://www.parlimen.gov.my/index.php?modload=ahlidewan&uweb=dr&action=details&id=40|title=Hamzah Zainudin, Y.B. Datuk|publisher=Parliament of Malaysia|language=ms|access-date=13 June 2010}} He subsequently resigned from UMNO to join BERSATU in December 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/12/15/six-more-mps-leave-umno-latest-exodus-leaves-party-with-only-37-lawmakers-in-dewan-rakyat/|title=Six more MPs leave Umno|work= The Star|author=Mazwin Nik Anis, Muguntan Vanar and Zakiah Koya|date=15 December 2018|access-date=15 December 2018}}
In 2020, when the Pakatan Harapan government crumpled due to Mahathir Mohamad's sudden resignation after trying to eradicate those who are involved in the Sheraton Move but failed. He was elected as the Home Minister by the newly appointed Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in his cabinet. He then retained as the Home Minister in Ismail Sabri cabinet.{{cite web|url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/heres-new-cabinet-members-under-pm-ismail-sabri-yaakob-316345|title=Here's the new Cabinet members under PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob|work=Astro Awani|accessdate=25 March 2022}}
In December 2022, he led the Perikatan Nasional coalition to become the 17th Leader of the Opposition.
Controversies and issues
=Divorcing his first wife=
In 2004, he was asked to pay his first wife Nooraini Rashid RM11.2 million in settlements for allegedly divorcing her to marry a much younger woman. In 2007 however, the Syariah Appeals Court allowed for his appeal to not pay his ex-wife.{{cite web|url=https://cilisos.my/who-is-hamzah-zainudin-the-man-accused-of-giving-muhyiddin-bad-advice/|title=WHO IS HAMZAH ZAINUDIN, THE MAN ACCUSED OF GIVING MUHYIDDIN BAD ADVICE?|work=Cilisos|date=8 November 2020 |accessdate=24 March 2022}}
=Allegations against Anwar Ibrahim=
In August 2008, former best friend and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, filed a defamation suit against him seeking RM10 million in damages over Hamzah’s allegations that Anwar had harassed his wife in 1998. Hamzah allegedly made the remark when campaigning during the Permatang Pauh by-election in August 2008, which subsequently saw Anwar’s return to parliament after a 10-year absence.
=Intervention in PDRM=
In 2021, he was caught having a phone conversation with the soon-to-retire Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to allow him to internally transfer staffs and also enable him to have over certain jurisdiction of Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) which will indirectly interfere with the operation. At the IGP's last week in office, Abdul Hamid Bador revealed all the dirty tricks of Hamzah trial efforts to interfere with the PDRM and how it will affect the PDRM's reputation. He acknowledged that the voice of the recording was his and stand being corrected as it is not unlawful despite IGP's comment on how politician's interference will make operations hard for the PDRM.{{cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/04/30/its-me-in-leaked-audio-recording-confirms-hamzah/|title=It's me in leaked audio recording, confirms Hamzah|work=Free Malaysia Today|date=30 April 2021 |accessdate=10 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/30/it-was-me-nothing-wrong-with-it-hamzah-says-of-leaked-audio-recording|title=It was me, nothing wrong with it, Hamzah says of leaked audio recording|work=The Star|accessdate=10 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/686870/hamzah-admits-viral-audio-clip-featured-him-says-he-did-no-wrong|title=Hamzah admits viral audio clip featured him, says he did no wrong|work=New Straits Times|date=May 2021 |accessdate=10 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/05/04/report-ex-igp-hamid-says-home-minister-hamzah-trying-to-configure-special-b/1971468|title=Report: Ex-IGP Hamid says Home Minister Hamzah trying to configure Special Branch for own political gains|work=Malay Mail|date=4 May 2021 |accessdate=10 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://focusmalaysia.my/politics/ex-igp-fires-another-salvo-on-hamzah-accusing-the-latter-of-misusing-special-branch/|title=Ex-IGP blasts Hamzah again, claims he exploited Special Branch|work=Focus Malaysia|date=4 May 2021 |accessdate=10 May 2021}}
Personal life
Hamzah was married to Noraini Abdul Rashid in 1981 before divorcing her in 1996 to marry his second wife, Nurasikin Abdul Ghani. He has 5 children.
Election results
Honours
=Honours of Malaysia=
- {{flag|Malaysia}} :
- 50px Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
- 50px Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (KMN) (2000)
- {{Flag|Pahang}} :
- 50x50px Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2021){{Cite web|date=2021-12-14|title=Hamzah, Saifuddin dahului senarai penerima darjah, pingat Pahang|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/602984|access-date=2021-12-14|website=Malaysiakini}}
- {{Flag|Perak}} :
- 50px Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (SPMP) – Dato' Seri (2015){{cite web|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/|title=SEMAKAN PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)|access-date=25 October 2018}}{{cite web|date=28 November 2015|language=ms|url=http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/zahid-hamidi-penerima-pertama-seri-paduka-sultan-nazrin-shah-1.163154|work=Utusan Malaysia|access-date=30 October 2018|title=Zahid Hamidi penerima pertama Seri Paduka Sultan Nazrin Shah}}
- 50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (DPMP) – Dato' (2002)
- 50px Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (PMP) (1992)
- 50px Recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (PPT) (1990){{Cite web|url=http://pingat.perak.gov.my/index.php/carian/mengikut-tahun-darjah-pingat|title=CARIAN REKOD PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN/PINGAT NEGERI PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN|website=pingat.perak.gov.my}}
- Justice of the Peace (JP) (1996)
- {{Flag|Negeri Sembilan}} :
- 50px Knight Commander of the Order of Tuanku Jaafar (DPTJ) – Dato' (1997)
- {{Flag|Sabah}} :
- 50px Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (2020){{cite web|date=2 October 2020|access-date=3 October 2020|work=The Star Online|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/02/ismail-sabri-hamzah-zainudin-head-list-of-679-sabah-award-recipients|title=Ismail Sabri, Hamzah Zainudin head list of 679 Sabah award recipients}}{{cite web|access-date=3 October 2020|language=ms|publisher=Berita Harian|url=https://origin.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/10/737766/hamzah-zainudin-ismail-sabri-antara-empat-dapat-datuk-seri-panglima|date=2 October 2020|title=Hamzah Zainudin, Ismail Sabri antara empat dapat Datuk Seri Panglima Sabah|archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825025102/https://origin.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/10/737766/hamzah-zainudin-ismail-sabri-antara-empat-dapat-datuk-seri-panglima|url-status=dead}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Malaysia 15th FedRep}}
{{Second Najib cabinet}}
{{Portal bar|Malaysia|Biography|Politics}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hamzah Zainuddin}}
Category:Malaysian people of Malay descent
Category:Malaysian people of Indonesian descent
Category:Malaysian businesspeople
Category:Malaysian United Indigenous Party politicians
Category:Former United Malays National Organisation politicians
Category:Independent politicians in Malaysia
Category:Government ministers of Malaysia
Category:Home ministers of Malaysia
Category:Members of the Dewan Negara
Category:Officers of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
Category:Grand Commanders of the Order of Kinabalu
Category:Malaysian MPs 2008–2013
Category:Malaysian MPs 2013–2018