KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has hinted that the party may leave Perikatan Nasional (PN), with plans to form a new political alliance following the Negeri Sembilan state election.
Speaking at the launch of Bersatu’s candidates for the August 1 polls today, Muhyiddin said the proposed coalition would include parties outside Bersatu, including members of the Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) coalition such as Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and Urimai.
The former prime minister said the new alliance would be prepared to contest the next general election.
“After this state election, Bersatu will no longer be alone. We will form a new grand coalition,” he said.
Muhyiddin’s remarks came shortly after he labelled PN as “toxic”, claiming that the coalition had deviated from its original goals under the leadership of PAS.
In his speech, he accused PAS of weakening Bersatu’s position within PN and attempting to sideline the party.
“They think that because they’re a Muslim party, they never lie. They’re always in the right, while we are always in the wrong,” he added.
Relations between Bersatu and PAS have deteriorated in recent weeks after PAS announced it would end political cooperation with Bersatu, although both parties remain members of PN.
The tensions became increasingly visible during the Johor state election on July 11, when PAS declined to support Bersatu’s campaign despite both parties contesting under the PN banner.
Following Bersatu’s defeat in Johor, PAS spearheaded negotiations for an electoral arrangement with Barisan Nasional (BN) ahead of the Negeri Sembilan election.
Under the agreement, BN will contest 25 of the state’s 36 seats, while PN will field candidates in the remaining 11 seats, according to FMT.
Bersatu, however, has chosen to contest under its own logo and has unveiled 24 candidates for the state election.
Muhyiddin expressed confidence that Bersatu was capable of standing independently, citing the party’s nationwide organisational network.
He said Bersatu currently has about 700,000 members, backed by more than 4,000 branches and 180 divisions nationwide. – July 17, 2026