{
  "id": 1665573,
  "title": "Hard for BN to backstab if it quits govt, says Puad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/hard-for-bn-to-backstab-if-it-quits-govt-says-puad",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T07:46:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/18/hard-for-bn-to-backstab-if-it-quits-govt-says-puad"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Umno leader Puad Zarkashi has criticised the apparent camaraderie between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders within the Cabinet, describing it as a \"Hollywood act.\" In a Facebook post, Puad dismissed claims that the Umno-led coalition is only in the unity government for political stability, arguing that the party is trying to continue backstabbing its partners.\n\nPuad questioned why BN remained in the federal government despite attacking it during the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections. He pointed out that the warmth between BN and PH leaders in the Cabinet is merely for show, and that they will continue to backstab each other in the upcoming Melaka state election and the 16th general election.\n\nOne reason BN is hesitant to withdraw from the unity government, Puad suggested, is that without power, it is difficult to execute an effective backstab. This comes after Ahmad Maslan, a BN Supreme Council member, defended the party's state election pacts with PN, arguing that tactical moves to maximise election chances should not be seen as betrayal. However, Puad emphasised that the agreement in the unity government is limited to the federal level and that there are no binding agreements on state-level arrangements.",
  "summary": "Ex-Umno Supreme Council member says his former party will continue to backstab in the Melaka polls and in GE16.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Hard for BN to backstab if it quits govt, says Puad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/hard-for-bn-to-backstab-if-it-quits-govt-says-puad-1671104",
        "published": "2026-08-18T07:46:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}