Khalid: PH-BN cooperation was never based on shared political goals

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, despite their shared unity government, have fundamentally different political cultures and objectives, according to Amanah communications director Khalid Abdul Samad. BN's assertion that its cooperation with the unity government will cease after the dissolution of Parliament is unsurprising given the longstanding rivalry between the two coalitions.

Historically, PH and BN have competed in numerous elections, with distinct goals and a political culture that prioritises performance and specific values. The unity government was formed following the 15th General Election to maintain stability, despite the significant differences between the two politically diverse entities. BN chairman Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently stated that BN's cooperation with the unity government would end upon the dissolution of Parliament, as promised to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Khalid emphasized that the party should exit rather than wait to be removed, noting that Umno-BN's repeated calls to sever ties with PH contradict their political philosophy of unity for the country's good. He urged Malay voters to support parties that prioritize performance, service, and value-driven politics in the upcoming general election, expressing hope that a wave demanding such politics will emerge in the future, preventing the recurrence of a situation where no single party holds a clear majority to form a government.