Perikatan Nasional (PN) has taken the initiative in shaping its electoral cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) for the Negeri Sembilan state election by repeatedly proposing new ideas, while BN has largely focused on defining the limits of the partnership, according to political analysts.
Political scientist Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said BN has been left drawing political boundaries while relying on strategic ambiguity by keeping the cooperation loosely defined.
He said such an approach could only work as a temporary strategy.
“If PN continues to dominate the public narrative while BN merely issues clarifications or denials, the political optics will increasingly favour PN,” he said.
PN pushes for closer cooperation
Recent proposals from PN have included Wawasan president Hamzah Zainudin’s suggestion to adopt the “Perikatan Barisan Nasional” branding.
Meanwhile, PN information chief Annuar Musa said the two coalitions would campaign using a single manifesto and had appointed representatives to coordinate its preparation.
However, BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan said the coalition had no intention of forming a new political grouping and would introduce its own manifesto, which it has since unveiled.
BN president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has also described the cooperation as an electoral understanding rather than a formal political alliance.
BN seeks to preserve its identity
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PN appeared to be positioning itself alongside what it believed would become the next state government.
“So it’s a pre-emptive measure to demonstrate that they are part of the whole BN,” he said.
Azmi said BN, however, wanted to preserve its own identity, arguing that a joint manifesto could blur the coalition’s image at a time when it aimed to remain the country’s leading political force.
“I don’t think BN wanted to be part of the joint manifesto because there is no agreement in terms of cooperation yet,” he said.
Partnership remains uneven
International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Syaza Shukri said the relationship appeared less like PN taking charge and more like one coalition showing greater enthusiasm for the partnership.
“It seems more lopsided, where PN seems to want this collaboration more than BN,” she said.
Syaza also questioned the proposed “Perikatan Barisan Nasional” branding, saying placing “Perikatan” first would likely result in people referring to the coalition simply as “Perikatan”, something she believed BN would not welcome.
She added that BN still appeared unconvinced about extending the cooperation beyond the Negeri Sembilan state election.
“BN is still very much unsure about this relationship. BN believes it can grow on its own, especially looking at Johor’s state election victory. So that’s why they’ve been very reluctant and have been calling it an understanding,” she said.
