PH, BN and PN: Malaysia's Three Big Coalitions Explained
Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional dominate Malaysian politics. Here is what each coalition is, who leads it, and how they line up in 2026.
In-depth analysis and insight on Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional dominate Malaysian politics. Here is what each coalition is, who leads it, and how they line up in 2026.

Barisan Nasional firmly rejects claims of attempting to destabilize the Unity Government, with Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid declaring the coalition's resolve will not falter until the 15th Parliament concludes.

Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has appealed to all competing parties to avoid rehashing historical grievances during the Johor state election campaign, emphasizing instead the importance of a mature and respectful political contest.

Barisan Nasional is aiming to expand its foothold in Johor, with party chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi signalling confidence the coalition will win more seats than it did previously.

Barisan Nasional chairman Zahid Hamidi has signalled flexibility towards exploratory talks with PAS and Wawasan Negara at unofficial levels regarding cooperation strategies for the Johor state election.

Malaysia's Election Commission has cleared 172 candidates from multiple political parties to contest the 16th Johor state election. The field includes representatives from Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, and smaller parties, with candidates competing across varying contest configurations.

A 68-year-old pensioner from Selangor invested more than RM500 from his retirement savings to travel to Johor and publicly support Barisan Nasional's Menteri Besar candidate during the state election nomination process.

Datuk Mohd Jafni of Barisan Nasional faces a crowded field in Bukit Permai as Johor voters prepare for the state election on July 11, with three opposition candidates vying for the traditionally competitive seat.

Barisan Nasional candidates contesting the Johor election have been advised to concentrate on substantive campaigning that appeals to voters' concerns rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric or divisive tactics.

Johor's Semerah constituency is shaping up for a direct contest between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan candidates, with nomination day proceedings highlighting deep political divisions in the district.

Gerakan has suspended its Johor liaison committee following the state chapter's independent decision to pull out of the forthcoming Johor state election, escalating internal party tensions.

Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi filed his nomination papers for the Johor state election at Simpang Renggam, accompanied by prominent UMNO leaders signalling strong party support.

Machap, a crucial Johor battleground, is shaping up as a direct contest between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, with Onn Hafiz and Nur Hafiz positioned as leading candidates in what analysts view as a pivotal race.

Prominent Barisan Nasional leaders gathered in Simpang Renggam to publicly endorse Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, signalling the coalition's consolidated support for the Johor political heavyweight as the state moves toward electoral contests.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has joined the campaign trail in Johor's Tiram constituency, appearing at Taman Pelangi Indah to strengthen Barisan Nasional's candidacy ahead of the state election.
As Johor prepares for state elections, we examine the defining battles between Barisan Nasional, Opposition coalitions, and independent candidates, alongside economic concerns and development priorities.

Johor's 16th state election kicks off today with nominations at 56 centres statewide. The race involves nearly 2.73 million voters across all 56 seats, with major coalitions and new parties competing for control.

Johor BN has pledged to roll out the Semarak Isya programme across all state constituencies if elected, extending evening mosque activities and community engagement beyond worship into education and welfare.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has expressed confidence that Barisan Nasional can defend the Kota Iskandar state seat and recover multiple constituencies in Iskandar Puteri through unified party operations.

Datuk Dr Mohd Fuad Tukirin, dropped as Barisan Nasional's Bukit Naning candidate, has gracefully accepted the party's decision while apologising to constituents for incomplete welfare programmes.
Johor's Barisan Nasional coalition has announced an election manifesto featuring 200,000 quality job opportunities, RM100 million in combined housing and education support, signalling the coalition's focus on economic development and social welfare.

Barisan Nasional has released an election manifesto for Johor featuring 63 pledges centred on six pillars, with ambitious plans to generate 200,000 new jobs and maintain the state's development trajectory.

UMNO's Azalina Othman Said has urged Johor voters to back Barisan Nasional candidates in the upcoming state election, arguing that continuity with the incumbent state government ensures effective service delivery to constituents.

Barisan Nasional has adopted a measured response to recent departures by senior figures ahead of the Johor state election on July 11, with party leadership affirming its commitment to the 56 candidates contesting the polls.

Rain is forecast to disrupt nomination day activities across seven Johor districts on June 27, with thunderstorms expected during the afternoon campaigning launch. MetMalaysia advises candidates and supporters to prepare for wet weather conditions.

Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional are preparing for multi-cornered battles across 33 of 56 state seats in the upcoming Johor election, reshaping the competitive landscape.

The Election Commission has sold 593 nomination forms for the Johor state election, though only 133 prospective candidates have confirmed participation by paying deposits. The nomination process begins tomorrow across 56 state constituencies.

Johor's 16th state election accelerates tomorrow as nomination day opens competition across all 56 assembly seats. Seven political coalitions are fielding candidates, with polling scheduled for July 11.
PAS has indicated it wishes to move past seat distribution disputes with Umno and Parti Wawasan in Johor, signalling a desire to cease prolonged negotiations and focus on broader political priorities.

Johor's Barisan Nasional coalition has forcefully rejected accusations from former state assembly speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, characterising claims about royal involvement in political matters as unfounded and irresponsible.

Multiple Johor Barisan Nasional members have filed police complaints against former Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, following his public assertions concerning palace involvement in state political affairs.

Datuk Pandak Ahmad has been selected by Johor Barisan Nasional to defend the Kota Iskandar state seat in the upcoming 16th state election, facing a rematch against a previous opponent.

Newly selected Barisan Nasional candidates across Johor's component parties have pledged vigorous grassroots campaigns to secure victory in the July 11 state election, marking a generational shift in the coalition's electoral strategy.

Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi, a former health minister, will defend his Machap seat in the upcoming state elections. The move marks a significant moment in Johor politics.
Barisan Nasional has unveiled its full slate of 56 candidates for the upcoming Johor state election, with Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz positioned as the centrepiece of the coalition's campaign to consolidate control.

Johor Barisan Nasional has unveiled a carefully balanced slate combining new candidates with established party infrastructure, signalling a deliberate generational refresh strategy ahead of the state election.

The Malaysian Chinese Association has nominated 15 candidates in Johor's state election, pledging to accelerate economic growth and development under the Barisan Nasional coalition.

Barisan Nasional attributed delays in announcing Johor election candidates to a rigorous vetting process, according to Umno's secretary-general, who defended the thoroughness of the selection mechanism.

Barisan Nasional has announced its complete roster of 56 candidates contesting the Johor state election on July 11, completing its formal campaign preparations ahead of the polls.

Umno's executive secretary Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan will make his first electoral outing as Johor Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Benut state seat in the upcoming state election.

Dr Adham Baba has been nominated as Barisan Nasional's candidate for Pasir Raja in the Johor state election, relying on his previous two terms representing the constituency and his network within the community.

Barisan Nasional has unveiled its Johor state election candidates with no representatives from Parti Wawasan Negara, ending weeks of speculation about a potential coalition involving the three parties.

Barisan Nasional in Johor has firmly rejected any coalition government formation, with party leadership declaring the decision non-negotiable and vowing solo governance should it win the upcoming state election.

Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, the former Johor menteri besar, has been excluded from Barisan Nasional's candidate list for the upcoming state elections, prompting analysts to suggest he may pursue a parliamentary seat instead.

Johor's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition has announced its complete roster of 56 candidates for the upcoming state election, balancing veteran politicians with new contenders across UMNO, MCA and MIC.

Barisan Nasional has unveiled its 56 candidates for the Johor state election, featuring notable figures including former health minister Dr Adham Baba and ex-Endau assemblyman Alwiyah Talib.

Barisan Nasional has begun announcing its slate of candidates for Johor's 16th state election, with party leaders and grassroots supporters converging at Umno headquarters in Johor Baru to mark the formal launch of the coalition's campaign.

A political analyst has recommended that PAS concentrate its efforts on capturing Umno-held seats in Negeri Sembilan, noting that many Barisan Nasional victories in the 2023 state election were achieved through razor-thin margins.

Kulai's Barisan Nasional leadership has challenged whether substantial federal allocations pledged to Johor have materialised into tangible infrastructure projects and genuine improvements for constituents.

Perikatan Nasional will contest the Johor state election under its own party logo, not the Barisan Nasional banner, according to election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

Barisan Nasional Youth leader Hafiz Ariffin has questioned the absence of senior Johor Pakatan Harapan figures from the opposition coalition's candidate slate ahead of the July 11 state election.

Barisan Nasional is poised to announce its slate of candidates for the Johor state election, with the formal presentation anticipated to take place in the state capital.

PKR vice-president Zaliha has dismissed Johor BN chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi's demand that Pakatan Harapan name its chief ministerial candidate, arguing no guarantee exists that any named figure would actually be appointed menteri besar.

PKR's Zaliha Mustafa has challenged Johor's Barisan Nasional chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi over what she characterises as contradictory demands regarding Pakatan Harapan's menteri besar candidate disclosure before state elections.

PKR vice-president Zaliha Harun has expressed confusion over Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi's demand that Pakatan Harapan publicly identify its potential menteri besar candidate, noting the futility of such a declaration.

Johor's state election for 56 assembly seats has evolved into a high-stakes contest between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, with outcomes that could reshape Malaysia's political landscape beyond the state.

Former Umno communications official Shahril Hamdan forecasts that Malaysia's next general election will centre on mundane, workable policy platforms rather than ambitious transformative agendas, with no major party positioned to credibly champion sweeping change.

Sabah UMNO will deploy its organisational resources to support Barisan Nasional's campaign in the Johor state election, targeting constituencies with significant populations of registered voters from Sabah.

Barisan Nasional leadership has cautioned members that the Johor state election result should not be viewed as a definitive measure of the coalition's overall political trajectory, with party officials encouraging those bypassed in candidate selection to maintain their loyalty.

Johor's caretaker Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi has firmly rejected any possibility of Barisan Nasional partnering with DAP to form state government, citing fundamental ideological differences between the coalitions.

Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Onn Hafiz has appealed to party members who failed to secure candidacy to remain committed to the coalition's struggle, emphasising that alternative roles await within the party and government structure.

Johor's Barisan Nasional coalition is preparing to reveal its full slate of candidates for the state election, with the formal announcement scheduled for Saturday. The finalisation comes as campaigning intensifies across the peninsula.
Barisan Nasional is poised to resolve its internal seat-sharing negotiations for Johor and Negeri Sembilan by next week, signalling progress in the coalition's broader electoral preparations as Malaysia eyes the next general election.

The Malaysian Indian Congress will defend two Johor state seats while surrendering another to Umno in a coalition seat-sharing arrangement ahead of the polls, part of broader Barisan Nasional restructuring.

The Malaysian Indian Congress will field candidates in four constituencies during the Johor state election scheduled for July 11, with the party ramping up grassroots mobilisation efforts among Indian voters across the state.

Barisan Nasional's secretary-general insists the coalition is sufficiently prepared for upcoming state polls, downplaying the impact of competing political alliances on their electoral prospects.
Johor's caretaker Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi has rejected characterisations of arrogance in Barisan Nasional's decision to contest the state election independently, arguing the coalition remains committed to the ruling government at federal level.

Johor Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan has ruled out contesting in the state election, ending speculation about his candidacy in several constituencies.

Barisan Nasional's secretary-general has expressed confidence that newly formed political parties will not undermine the coalition's performance in forthcoming state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.