{
  "id": 20096797,
  "title": "Puad suggests BN call for Pahang, Perak polls next",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/puad-suggests-bn-call-for-pahang-perak-polls-next",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/11/15/puad-suggests-bn-call-for-pahang-perak-polls-next"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Batu Pahat MP Puad Zarkashi has suggested that the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition dissolve the Pahang and Perak state assemblies and call for fresh state elections. He argues that the BN-Perikatan Nasional (PN) cooperation was effective, as evidenced by the alliance's landslide victory in the Melaka polls. Puad also noted that the initial resistance from BN to contest 21 seats was overcome when PAS acceded to the demand, enabling PAS to win two competitive seats. Consequently, Puad believes it would be appropriate for BN to end the current unity administrations in Pahang and Perak, allowing a BN-PN administration to take over. The Melaka state election saw BN secure 21 seats, surpassing the two-thirds majority threshold, while PN added three more seats, with DAP winning the remaining four seats for PH. PN has expressed its intention to expand its partnership with BN nationwide ahead of the next general election, although some resistance has been encountered in Pahang and Perak. Notably, Pahang's Chief Minister, Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, previously stated that BN could retain the state regardless of whether it collaborates with PH or PN or operates independently. In Perak, BN won only nine state seats in 2022, but Umno's Saarani Mohamad retained the position of Chief Minister after forming the state government with PH, which secured 24 seats. PN currently holds 26 seats in the Perak state assembly.",
  "summary": "Barisan Nasional still leads both state governments under a unity administration with Pakatan Harapan.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}