KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s Supreme Council must come clean on why it suspended former vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and commit to reforming its due process mechanism, analysts say, following Hishammuddin’s claim that he was denied a fair process.
Analysts Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara and Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) told Scoop the suspension was widely understood to be over Hishammuddin’s role in a statutory declaration (SD) signed with 10 other Barisan Nasional MPs backing Perikatan Nasional after the 15th general election.
Still, both analysts said the party owes members and the public an explanation.
“(I think) the supreme council should have informed him of the exact offence long ago,” Syaza said.
“They can still do it now, which is better than nothing, but it would look very politically motivated.
“We all know it is because of (his) disagreement on working with Pakatan Harapan during the negotiations (to form the government). It’s just a matter of putting it in black and white.”
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) said Hishammuddin’s statement has raised doubts among party members and the public over who is in the right – Hishammuddin or the council.
“I view that it is time for the supreme council to reveal the actual reasons behind the suspension, as its explanation could help members understand what actually happened,” he said.
Azmi noted that Hishammuddin himself is aware that the suspension stemmed from his alleged role in gathering SDs, but took issue with being denied the chance to defend himself.
“The only thing he’s not satisfied with is that he was not given due process. Appealing would have been the right move to justify why he should not have been suspended,” Azmi said.
On July 1, Hishammuddin broke his silence after increasing calls for him to appeal, including from the Sembrong Umno division, which urged the party to lift his six-year suspension. He maintained he would not compromise his principles for reinstatement.
In a video statement, the Sembrong MP questioned why he was now being told to follow party procedures when none were extended to him earlier. He said he only learned of the suspension on January 27, 2023, via media reports, and received a formal letter three days later that vaguely cited a violation of the party constitution without further explanation. He claimed he was never told of any specific offence, nor given a chance to respond or attend a disciplinary hearing.
His remarks came a day after the Umno Supreme Council said it has the authority to consider appeals from members subjected to disciplinary action.
Due process in question
Azmi suggested the council may not have followed the party constitution, which requires justification for any disciplinary action and an opportunity for members to defend themselves.
Still, he stressed Hishammuddin should have filed an appeal.
“Without an appeal letter, it shows how aloof and snobbish Hishammuddin is. He believes he is always right but did not justify why, or why the council was wrong.
“Umno should have followed procedure and given him a chance to defend himself. I think that was not accorded to him – and Umno is in the wrong here.
“But even so, Hishammuddin should still have submitted an appeal. Without it, it’s difficult for the council to deliberate,” he said.
Syaza said Umno’s due process mechanism must be reformed to ensure transparency and fairness, or it will continue to be seen as arbitrary.
“The current process might reduce internal tension in the short term, but like any authoritarian move, it is unlikely to be sustainable.
“It could lead to further factionalism and worse – Umno could lose good leaders in the name of party cohesion. The party has to decide what matters more,” she said.
Mazlan echoed the need for reform to prevent future disputes.
“Perhaps what transpired should be seen as an opportunity for the party to review and improve its disciplinary process,” he said.
Both Mazlan and Syaza warned that failure to do so could create confusion, erode trust in the leadership, and leave Umno vulnerable to attacks from rivals.
Power flex or following rules?
Syaza argued that by asking Hishammuddin to appeal despite not giving him a reason for his suspension, Umno’s leadership, particularly party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was trying to maintain control.
“Giving in would mean Zahid admitting he erred. So they’re waiting for Hishammuddin to make the move.
“By asking him to appeal, it looks like he’s pleading. That way, the party doesn’t have to explain why he was suspended. It’s a game of chicken to see who caves in first,” she said.
Mazlan, however, believes Umno acted in accordance with the constitution and is unlikely to risk unconstitutional moves, citing the party’s 1988 deregistration after irregularities in its internal election. – July 7, 2025