BN-PN menang bergaya, namun timbul ketakpastian

In a surprising turn of events, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) emerged victorious in the general election, but uncertainty looms over their future cooperation. The ruling coalition captured Negeri Sembilan after eight years under Pakatan Harapan (PH) rule, with PN's support from PAS. BN secured 18 DUN seats, while PN achieved seven, allowing both to form a stable government in Negeri Sembilan with a two-thirds majority.

This marks a significant improvement for the two alliances compared to PRN 2023, when BN won 14 seats through a PH-Joint Alliance, and PN gained five, including three won by PAS.

The BN-PN alliance has clearly strengthened Malay support by securing all Malay-majority seats, including those won with narrow margins in PRN 2023 such as Juasseh, Kota, Ampangan, Seri Menanti, Sungai Lui, and Palong. Umno easily maintained its strongholds like Rantau and Pertang, while MCA finally returned to DUN after nearly 13 years, reclaiming Chennah and Repah.

PAS retained Serting, Paroi, and Bagan Pinang, which it won in 2023, while expanding influence by securing an additional winning seat in Ampangan previously held by PKR.

However, the future of the BN-PN alliance remains uncertain due to the fragile relationship between the two parties. Not all joint alliances were warmly received, especially those entailing significant Umno roots. For instance, 16 branches in Klawang rebelled against BN's decision to hand over Wawasan candidate to Danni Rais, who is the son of former Umno stalwart Rais Yatim.

This controversy was highlighted by PN Election Chief Sanusi Nor, who cautioned President MIC SA Vigneswaran to reconsider cooperation and urged PN Chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar not to interfere with Zahid Hamidi's decision. However, Samsuri remained defiant, stating that Sanusi is free to campaign in Negeri Sembilan if he wishes.

Zahid, in a sly manner, taunted BN's future Prime Minister candidate Saifuddin Abdullah after proposing Hamzah as a potential candidate for the next general election. "Happy to win," the Umno president remarked. The BN-PN coalition is scheduled to continue its partnership in the upcoming PRN Melaka, scheduled before the end of the year, but critics believe the real test will only come during PRU and later PRN Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis, where PAS holds dominant influence.

The alliance's fate is highly dependent on Umno and PAS, the two largest Malay-Islam parties, despite their rivalry for Malay-Islam support. There is no certainty whether the BN-PN arrangement will continue or if a new alliance will emerge, considering the lessons from the National Unity Front (MN) debacle.