Perikatan Nasional

Perikatan Nasional
Name	Perikatan Nasional
Founded	2020
Country	Malaysia

Perikatan Nasional is a Malaysian political coalition formed in 2020 that brought together several political parties and figures in the aftermath of a shift in parliamentary support. It emerged during the aftermath of the 2018 general election dynamics involving Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, and United Malays National Organisation, and played a central role in subsequent changes to the executive centered on the office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Key actors associated with its formation include politicians who previously held positions in administrations under Najib Razak, Muhyiddin Yassin, and Mahathir Mohamad.

History

Perikatan Nasional arose amid a period marked by defections, coalitional realignments, and parliamentary maneuvers following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration. The coalition's emergence followed the political crisis that led to the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad as Prime Minister and the withdrawal of support by several MPs aligned with figures such as Azmin Ali and parties including Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and elements of Barisan Nasional. In 2020, the change in majority support installed Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister, replacing the interim arrangements that had been in place after the 2018 general election. Subsequent events, including the passage of budgets, motions of confidence, and the 2022 general election, further reshaped its parliamentary position alongside contests with coalitions like Pakatan Harapan and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

Organization and leadership

Perikatan Nasional's organizational structure featured a coordinating council and national leadership drawn from constituent parties such as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, and various state-based parties. Prominent leaders associated with the coalition have included Muhyiddin Yassin and senior figures from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia like Hadi Awang, alongside veterans from United Malays National Organisation who shifted alignments. The coalition maintained party-level hierarchies involving state chiefs, parliamentary whips, and election machinery tied to institutional actors such as the Dewan Rakyat and state legislative assemblies in Kedah, Perak, Johor, and Kelantan.

Ideology and platform

The coalition's stated platform emphasized Malay-Muslim interests as articulated in policy proposals linked to champions of Malay rights like Perikatan Nasional-affiliated leaders, while also invoking national stability themes deployed in public statements referencing the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Its agenda drew on strands from conservative nationalism associated with parties such as United Malays National Organisation and Islamist principles advocated by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, stressing issues like affirmative policies rooted in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and proposals on social welfare programs that intersected with institutions like the Ministry of Finance (Malaysia) and agencies managing Bantuan Prihatin Nasional. Policy pronouncements often referenced economic recovery measures responding to crises similar to those addressed by the National Recovery Council and compared to fiscal approaches taken during the tenure of Najib Razak.

Member parties and affiliates

The coalition comprised parties including Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, and several regional parties that have operated in states such as Perlis, Pahang, and Sabah. Affiliates and cooperating entities ranged from parliamentary blocs to state-level factions with ties to veteran parties like Gerakan and splinter groups formerly associated with Barisan Nasional. In several states the coalition formed electoral pacts with local parties that have histories tied to figures like Shafie Apdal and Maximus Ongkili, while contesting seats against coalitions led by Pakatan Harapan and regional coalitions such as Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

Electoral performance

Perikatan Nasional contested multiple by-elections and the 2022 general election, competing directly with coalitions including Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional. Its performance varied by state: notable outcomes occurred in contests in Terengganu, Kelantan, and urban constituencies in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, where voter patterns showed shifts similar to prior swings observed in the 2008 and 2013 general elections. The coalition's seat tallies in the Dewan Rakyat influenced attempts to form federal administrations and shaped negotiations that involved constitutional conventions overseen by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Government participation and policies

Perikatan Nasional provided the parliamentary majority for a federal administration led by Muhyiddin Yassin, implementing policies on pandemic management that involved the Ministry of Health (Malaysia) and coordinating agencies such as the National Disaster Management Agency (Malaysia). The administration pursued economic stimulus measures that paralleled programs like Permai and invoked fiscal tools administered by the Ministry of Finance (Malaysia). In state governments, coalition partners administered portfolios in executive councils in states like Johor and Perak, implementing policies on infrastructure and land matters linked to departments such as state land offices and planning bodies.

Controversies and criticism

The coalition faced criticism related to the manner of its formation, with opponents invoking concerns about backroom negotiations involving figures connected to the fall of the Pakatan Harapan administration and debates over constitutional norms involving the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the process for appointing a Prime Minister. Accusations of political opportunism were leveled by parties like Democratic Action Party and commentators who referenced earlier controversies tied to leaders such as Najib Razak and disputes over issues like parliamentary confidence motions. Policy critics also raised questions about allocations in stimulus packages and transparency in dealings with state administrations in Sabah and Sarawak.

Category:Politics of Malaysia