The fragile architecture of Malaysia's shifting political alliances

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the volatile landscape of Malaysian politics, Perikatan Nasional emerged as a powerful vehicle for a specific ideological shift. However, its history reveals a complex dance of formal registrations, informal pacts, and sudden ruptures that illustrate how quickly political power can be reorganized and contested.

Formed during the 2020–2022 political crisis, Perikatan Nasional (PN) was initially an informal coalition designed to replace the Pakatan Harapan government. It successfully achieved this goal when its de facto leader, Muhyiddin Yassin, was sworn in as Malaysia's 8th Prime Minister on March 1, 2020. While it functioned as a governing bloc with partners like Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), its internal structure evolved significantly over time.

The coalition's formalization began in August 2020, initially consisting of BERSATU, PAS, and STAR. It expanded to include the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) that same month, followed by GERAKAN in February 2021 and MIPP in April 2024. Despite this growth, the coalition has faced internal friction. In 2021, Muhyiddin Yassin resigned as prime minister after losing his parliamentary majority following the withdrawal of support from UMNO, a major component of the BN.

Recent years have seen intense legal and structural disputes. In June 2026, PAS broke political cooperation with BERSATU, leading to the formation of the new party WAWASAN. This sparked a constitutional crisis regarding BERSATU's membership status. By August 2026, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) issued a show-cause notice and suspended all PN activities following a complaint from BERSATU. These maneuvers highlight the precarious nature of 'coalitions of coalitions' where ideological alignment often clashes with individual party interests.

The significance of PN lies in its role as a conservative counterweight in Malaysian governance. Analysts have noted that its rise represented a distinct turn toward a specific vision of Malay-Islamic supremacy, creating a polarized political environment that continues to shape the country's legislative landscape and state-level elections.

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