Malaysia Deregisters Main Opposition Bloc Perikatan Nasional Ahead of Key State Polls
Malaysia has cancelled the registration of the Perikatan Nasional opposition coalition, creating uncertainty for the upcoming Melaka state election.
POLICY WIRE — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Malaysia has officially revoked the registration of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition coalition on Tuesday, October 20. The move follows an internal dispute between the bloc’s primary parties, significantly impacting the group’s standing as regional elections approach.
The dissolution prevents the coalition’s member parties from running under a unified banner in upcoming contests. This development arrives as the Melaka state election is set for November 14, serving as a critical barometer for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim following recent losses in two other regional polls.
Internal friction has intensified between the conservative Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), which holds the most seats in the 222-member parliament, and the Malay nationalist Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu). Both parties have been competing for dominance within the coalition.
The conflict escalated after Bersatu, led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, filed a complaint with the Registrar of Societies (RoS). The party alleged that it was excluded from a July supreme council meeting, which they claimed violated the coalition’s constitution.
The RoS stated that the coalition failed to provide a satisfactory explanation after receiving a warning last month regarding potential de-registration. Officials noted that the reasons provided by PN did not successfully refute the grounds for the cancellation.
PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, a senior PAS figure, announced that the coalition intends to challenge the decision legally. He described the move as an attempt to weaken political opponents ahead of the Melaka vote.
According to reports, the RoS issued a show-cause notice on September 22, the same day the Melaka state assembly was dissolved, and suspended PN’s activities the following day. Nomination day for the Melaka election is scheduled for October 31, with early voting on November 10.
Prime Minister Anwar currently leads a government composed of several blocs, including his own Pakatan Harapan and the Barisan Nasional (BN). While these groups maintain a federal partnership, they remain rivals in various states as they navigate electoral strategies for the next general election.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
