Perikatan Nasional
The National Alliance (Malay: Perikatan Nasional; abbr. PN) is the ruling conservative and nationalist political alliance in Malaysia that was created between the member parties of Barisan Nasional (BN), Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). The alliance has been in majority government at the federal level since March 2020, through the support of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS).
National Alliance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Malay name | Perikatan Nasional ڤريکتن ناسيونل |
| Chinese name | 国民联盟 Guómín liánméng |
| Tamil name | தேசிய கூட்டணி |
| Leader | Muhyiddin Yassin (de facto) |
| Founded | 23 February 2020[1] |
| Ideology | National conservatism Social conservatism Islamic democracy Economic nationalism Ketuanan Bumiputera |
| Political position | Centre-right to right-wing with far-right factions |
| Colours | Dark blue |
| Dewan Negara: | 42 / 70
|
| Dewan Rakyat: | 114 / 222
|
| Dewan Undangan Negeri: | 349 / 593
|
The alliance was established in February 2020 during the 2020 Malaysian political crisis when BERSATU departed from the then-governing Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. The 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Abdullah of Pahang, appointed Muhyiddin Yassin, President of the BERSATU and de facto Leader of the Perikatan Nasional, as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia, bringing the informal political alliance into government. On 17 May, the leaders and chairpersons of BN, BERSATU, PAS, GPS, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), and the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR) officially announced a memorandum of understanding formalising Perikatan Nasional.[2][3]
Perikatan Nasional currently holds 114 seats in the Dewan Rakyat giving the alliance a working majority in Parliament.
History
2020 Malaysian political crisis and rise to power
Since the morning of 23 February 2020, a faction from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) led by its deputy president Azmin Ali who also served as Minister for Economic Affairs, BERSATU's supreme council, Muafakat Nasional of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)-United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) pact retreat, UMNO's own supreme council, and GPS's member of the parliament (MP); all held separate meetings in various locations.[4] These meetings, particularly that of BERSATU and Azmin Ali's faction led to rumours that the formation of a new governing coalition was being undertaken.[5] Later in the evening, an entourage of party leaders including Azmin, BERSATU president and then-Minister of Home Affairs Muhiyiddin, UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS president Hadi Awang, GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg and Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Shafie Apdal arrived at the Istana Negara to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong[6] It was rumoured that the leaders were there to brief the Agong about the formation of a new coalition government and to declare their support for a new prime minister, effectively blocking PKR's president Anwar Ibrahim from the position.[7][8] Once the meeting had concluded, several opposition party leaders, including UMNO's Ismail Sabri Yaakob and PAS's Hadi Awang then joined Azmin's supporters at Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya.[9] The purpose of the gathering was later revealed to be a dinner event called "Majlis Makan Malam Muafakat Ahli Parlimen" celebrating the achievement of a "consensus" among MPs, of which 131 were in attendance, from both the government and opposition.[10][11] This sparked controversy as people began to wonder of the purpose and meaning of the event, causing a split in the Pakatan Harapan coalition. The events that day were dubbed the "Sheraton Move",[12] and it was known as one of the longest Sundays in Malaysian politics.[13]
It was later confirmed by former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, that he, as well as MPs from the UMNO, signed statutory declarations (SD) in support of the then-Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad lead an alliance called Perikatan Nasional; however, their agreement was conditional.[14]
On the following day, Azmin Ali and PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin were sacked from the party, as announced by secretary general, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that afternoon,[15] as several other members of the party announced their departure from the party in solidarity with the two.[16] Following this, Mahathir announced his resignation from his position as Prime Minister,[17] and BERSATU President, Muhyiddin Yassin, announced that the party would officially leave the Pakatan Harapan coalition.[18] This caused the coalition to lose its majority in the Dewan Rakyat, marking the downfall of the almost 2 year old Pakatan Harapan government.[19]
The royal palace announced that the Agong had accepted Mahathir's resignation and appointed him as interim Prime Minister in order to oversee the country's administration until the formation of a new government.[20][21]
Having other plans in mind, Mahathir decided to call for all MPs to unite under a non-partisan unity government, where all parties in parliament would take part in the government.[22] This was rejected by almost every other party as they refused to be in the same government as their rivals, most notably Muafakat Nasional (UMNO and PAS) and the DAP. Muafakat Nasional called for the dissolution of the parliament and snap elections, stating that the only solution was by letting the people choose the government.[23]
To resolve the issue, the Agong summoned every member of the Dewan Rakyat for an audience so that he may interview each of them personally so as to determine who had the support of the majority of parliament to form a new government as Prime Minister. This is because Article 43 (2) (a) of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall need to appoint the Prime Minister from among the members of the Dewan Rakyat, who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the parliament. However, none of them gained the majority support of the parliament, that is at least 112 members, since Barisan Nasional and Gagasan Sejahtera voted for the dissolution of the parliament, while Pakatan Harapan and BERSATU named Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir respectively.
On the afternoon of 28 February, BERSATU secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahaya announced that all of its' 36 MPs have decided on nominating party president Muhyiddin for the position of Prime Minister instead of Mahathir.[24] However, a number of BERSATU MPs later denied that they had nominated Muhiyiddin and were still supporting Mahathir. In the evening, both Barisan Nasional and Muafakat Nasional also announced their support for Muhiyiddin to succeed Mahathir as the next Prime Minister.[25] This was soon followed by claims made by political analysts in Sabah and Sarawak that local parties such as GBS, GPS, and Warisan intended to support Muhiyiddin as Prime Minister, securing him a majority in parliament.[26]
On the evening of the 29 February 2020, the Agong announced that Muhyiddin had gained majority support and was appointed as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was sworn in the following day at Istana Negara.
Formalisation
On 17 May 2020, the leaders of BERSATU, Barisan Nasional, PAS, GPS, PBS, and STAR issued a joint statement saying that all their 111 MPs support formalising the Perikatan Nasional alliance which was previously an ad hoc agreement. The parties' leaders also announced that they had been working on a memorandum of understanding to facilitate cooperation within the PN alliance. Key provisions of the MOU include upholding the Malaysian Constitution, the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers, the principles of Rukun Negara, and ensuring the welfare and interest of Malaysians of all religions and race.[2][3]
Member parties
| Logo | Name | Ideology | Leader(s) | Seats contested |
2018 result | Current seats | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes (%) | Seats | Composition | |||||||
| Member parties | |||||||||
.svg.png){kind=small} |
UMNO | United Malays National Organisation Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu |
Ketuanan Melayu | Ahmad Zahid Hamidi | 120 (under BN) |
20.90% | 54 / 222 |
39 / 114 | |
 |
MCA | Malaysian Chinese Association Persatuan Cina Malaysia |
Conservatism | Wee Ka Siong | 39 (under BN) |
5.41% | 1 / 222 |
2 / 114 | |
 |
MIC | Malaysian Indian Congress Kongres India Malaysia |
Social conservatism | Vigneswaran Sanasee | 9 (under BN) |
1.38% | 2 / 222 |
1 / 114 | |
| PBRS | United Sabah People's Party Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah |
Nationalism | Joseph Kurup | 1 (Under BN) |
0.10% | 1 / 222 |
1 / 114 | ||
 |
PPBM | Malaysian United Indigenous Party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia |
Ketuanan Melayu | Muhyiddin Yassin | 52 (under PH) |
5.95% | 13 / 222 |
32 / 114 | |
 |
PAS | Malaysian Islamic Party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia |
Islamic democracy | Abdul Hadi Awang | 157 (under GS) |
16.82% | 18 / 222 |
18 / 114 | |
| PBB | United Bumiputera Heritage Party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu |
National conservatism | Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg | 14 (Under BN) |
1.83% | 13 / 222 |
13 / 114 | ||
| PRS | Sarawak Peoples' Party Parti Rakyat Sarawak |
Centrism | James Jemut Masing | 6 (Under BN) |
0.49% | 3 / 222 |
2 / 114 | ||
 |
PDP | Progressive Democratic Party Parti Demokratik Progresif |
Regionalism | Tiong King Sing | 4 (Under BN) |
0.50% | 2 / 222 |
2 / 114 | |
 |
SUPP | Sarawak United Peoples' Party Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak |
Centrism | Sim Kui Hian | 7 (Under BN) |
1.01% | 1 / 222 |
1 / 114 | |
| PBS | United Sabah Party Parti Bersatu Sabah |
Democracy Racial unity Kadazan-Dusun interests |
Joseph Pairin Kitingan | 5 (Under BN) |
0.48% | 1 / 222 |
1 / 114 | ||
 |
STAR | Homeland Solidarity Party Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku |
Sabah regionalism | Jeffrey Kitingan | 5 | 0.18% | 1 / 222 |
1 / 114 | |
| Allied parties | |||||||||
 |
GERAKAN | Malaysian People's Movement Party Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia |
Centrism | Dominic Lau Hoe Chai | 9 (under BN) |
1.07% | 0 / 222 |
0 / 114 | |
| Independent politicians | |||||||||
| IND | Independent Ahli Parlimen Bebas |
N/A | Jugah Muyang (P203 Lubok Antu) |
24 | 0.59% | 3 / 222 |
1 / 114 | ||
Leadership Structure
Perikatan Nasional Presidential Council:[27]
- Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd. Yassin (PPBM)
- Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN)
- Haji Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS)
- Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg (GPS)
- Joseph Pairin Kitingan (PBS)
- Dr. Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan (STAR)
Elected representatives
Members of Parliament of the 14th Malaysian Parliament
Perikatan Nasional and its supporting parties have 114 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat as shown below.
.svg.png){kind=small}
Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly)
Malaysian State Assembly Representatives
|
Perlis State Legislative Assembly 12 / 15
Perak State Legislative Assembly35 / 59
Kedah State Legislative Assembly23 / 36
Penang State Legislative Assembly7 / 40
|
Melaka State Legislative Assembly 17 / 28
Johor State Legislative Assembly29 / 56
Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly16 / 36
Selangor State Legislative Assembly11 / 56
|
Kelantan State Legislative Assembly 45 / 45
Terengganu State Legislative Assembly33 / 33
Pahang State Legislative Assembly32 / 42
|
Sabah State Legislative Assembly 20 / 65
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly69 / 82
|
Perikatan Nasional state governments
| State | Leader type | Member | Party | State Constituency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Menteri Besar | Hasni Mohammad | UMNO | Benut | |
 | Chief Minister | Sulaiman Md Ali | UMNO | Lendu | |
 | Menteri Besar | Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail | UMNO | Jelai | |
 | Menteri Besar | Azlan Man | UMNO | Bintong | |
 | Menteri Besar | Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor | PAS | Jeneri | |
 | Menteri Besar | Ahmad Yakob | PAS | Pasir Pekan | |
 | Menteri Besar | Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar | PAS | Rhu Rendang | |
 | Menteri Besar | Ahmad Faizal Azumu | PPBM | Chenderiang | |
 | Chief Minister | Abang Johari Openg | PBB | Satok | |
References
- Harian, Wartawan Sinar (23 February 2020). "Najib sahkan tandatangan SD sokong gabungan baharu". Sinarharian (in Malay). Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "Bersatu, BN, PAS, GPS, PBS and STAR support formation of PN". The Sun Daily. 17 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- Ar, Zurairi (17 May 2020). "BN, Bersatu, PAS and three others agree to form Perikatan Nasional". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- "Apa maksud 5 mesyuarat politik diadakan serentak hari ini?". Astro Awani (in Malay). 23 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- Kasthuri Jeevendran (23 February 2020). "Azmin mesyuarat di hotel, Hamzah Zainuddin dan Baru Bian turut hadir". Malaysia Gazette (in Malay). Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- See update at 7:11pm - Istana Negara "New coalition: Anwar in emergency meeting, Azmin vows to continue reform agenda". Malaysia Kini. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- Sadho Ram (23 February 2020). "PAS, UMNO, Bersatu, Amanah And 10 PKR MPs Said To Be Forming A New Coalition Govt". SAYS. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- Ratcliffe, Rebecca (24 February 2020). "Malaysia's PM Mahathir Mohamad resigns amid political turmoil". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- Yiswaree Palansamy (23 February 2020). "Azmin arrives at Sheraton Hotel, first sighting since rumoured new coalition". Malay Mail. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- "Consensus dinner ends with 131 MPs all smiles". The Star. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- "🎥 LENSA MGTV | KUNCI MULUT!!! Makan Malam Muafakat Ahli Parlimen". MalaysiaGazette. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "Our week-long struggle has succeeded, says Azmin". Malaysiakini. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- Chung, Nicholas (23 February 2020). "Something may happen tomorrow, says 'betrayed' Anwar". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "Najib sokong gabungan parti baharu tetapi ada syarat". MalaysiaGazette. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- NSTP, Oleh Wartawan (24 February 2020). "Azmin, Zuraida dipecat". BH Online (in Malay). Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- Arifin, Oleh Latifah (24 February 2020). "11 Ahli Parlimen PKR keluar parti". BH Online (in Malay). Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- Astro Awani (24 February 2020). "Tun Mahathir letak jawatan Perdana Menteri, Pengerusi Bersatu | Astro Awani". www.astroawani.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- Reporters, F. M. T. (24 February 2020). "PPBM keluar Pakatan Harapan". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "PH hilang majoriti jadi Kerajaan Pusat". BH Online (in Malay). 24 February 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- Razali, Oleh Safeek Affendy (24 February 2020). "Agong lantik Tun M sebagai PM interim". BH Online (in Malay). Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "Dr Mahathir's surprises as PM4, PM7 and PM8". The Star. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- "Perutusan khas Dr Mahathir mengenai keadaan politik negara". BH Online (in Malay). 27 February 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "Muafakat Nasional calls for dissolution of Parliament, will support new coalition by Dr M if DAP not included". The Edge Markets. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "Bersatu nominates Muhyiddin as 8th PM". The Star. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- "BN, PAS back Muhyiddin as 8th PM (updated)". The Star. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- "Sabah, S'wak expected to back new alliance led by Muhyiddin". The Star. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- Abd Hadi Che Awang (31 May 2020). "Perikatan Nasional tubuhkan Majlis Presiden - Tuan Ibrahim" [The National Alliance establishes the Council of Presidents - Mr. Ibrahim]. Astro Awani (in Malay).
- Oleh Mohd Nasaruddin Parzi (4 June 2020). "Shahruddin kekal bersama PN" [Shahruddin remains with PN]. BH (in Malay).
