09/03/2026

MONDAY | MAR 9, 2026

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BN planning to contest at least 115 seats in GE16

No conditions for Rumah Bangsa initiative PONTIAN: Umno’s Rumah Bangsa initiative does not impose any conditions because it is based on the concept of “forgive and forget” to strengthen unity in the party and the struggle of the Malay race. Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the initiative is a noble idea as a unifying platform to strengthen the struggle of the party and the Malay race in Umno. “We do not impose any conditions. No one needs to apologise to anyone. We want to forgive and forget. If we want to bring (issues) up, there are many things that could be brought up. But in the end, no one will want to come back.” Ahmad, who is also a Rumah Bangsa Committee member, explained that the decision to rejoin Umno depends entirely on the individual concerned since the party is now opening its doors to former members who were sacked, suspended or who have previously left. “Whoever wants to come in, come in. If you don’t want to, that’s fine. We have stated that this approach is unconditional.“ Last Friday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno has opened its doors to any former members who had been sacked or suspended to return unconditionally. Ahmad also cited an event in 1996 when Parti Melayu Semangat 46 was dissolved by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and all its members were readmitted into Umno en bloc unconditionally. He added that the initiative was in line with the spirit of Ramadan, which emphasises the value of forgiveness for the sake of the greater struggle.

power consolidation. “It is a conditional strategic alliance, not a long-term ideological marriage.” He added that BN’s push for 115 seats signals a drive to reclaim dominance and shed its “second player” label. “BN’s desire to contest at least 115 seats and lead the government is a clear signal it wants to restore core party status, not merely complement PH. “This strategy puts pressure on seat negotiations and could trigger a major recalibration in PH-BN relations, especially if Malay momentum shifts in BN’s favour.”

Malaysia’s fragile Unity government and putting fresh scrutiny on DAP’s role in the coalition. Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the government’s survival beyond a single term is not guaranteed, and hinges on political calculation and voter perception. “If the ‘stability government’ formula is still seen as necessary to avoid post-GE15 uncertainty, it could continue.” He added that realistically, each major party, particularly Umno (BN) and PKR (PH), has incentives to test its own strength after a period of

system, voters elect MPs, from whom the Cabinet is formed. “Accountability exists through Parliament and elections, in which governments could be removed if they lose lawmakers’ or voters’ support.” He also said the Opposition raised valid concerns about the amendment, adding that simply capping the prime minister’s tenure might not bring significant change. The proliferation of parties and factions raises questions about coalition dynamics after the election. He said negotiations could become more complex, as traditional coalitions may no longer dominate without accommodating new actors. “The emergence of new parties and the possibility of vote-splitting means GE16 could produce another hung Parliament.” – By Harith Kamal the recent Sabah election could reappear at a national level. Nusantara Academy senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the target aligns with Malay-majority constituencies. “PH is focusing on urban, non-Malay seats, just over 100. “The 115 seats would give Umno enough scope to mobilise Malay voters, particularly in (opposition-led) states, while PAS holds about 40 seats.” DAP’s role is under the spotlight, reflecting Malay-Muslim sensitivities and BN’s need to protect its traditional identity. “DAP remains the most stable component in PH, especially for urban and non-Malay voters. “Reducing its role drastically could weaken PH while eroding trust among Chinese and other non-Malay communities.” Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali highlighted DAP’s challenges following unexpected losses in the recent Sabah election. “DAP seems to have concluded that the Chinese community rejects DAP in relation to government reforms, especially corruption and integrity issues. “Concerned with the issues, DAP began to pay attention to matters involving recent Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission allegations. “However, DAP MPs remain supportive of the prime minister, so the civil government itself is unlikely to be threatened.” The experts agree that the Unity government’s survival past GE16 is possible but far from guaranteed. “BN wants dominance, PH wants to retain power, PN wants to replace the government and new factions add uncertainty.

o Manoeuver signals drive to enhance

dominance, says analyst

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) is reportedly planning to contest at least 115 parliamentary seats for GE16, a bold move that is testing

“Perhaps (former members) have also realised their respective mistakes. We want to forget everything that happened to strengthen the party.” – Bernama New parties, fractures and alliances transforming political landscape Azmi said the 115 seats would give Umno enough scope to mobilise Malay voters, particularly in opposition-led states. – SUNPIC “GE16 will be about who voters trust to maintain stability, not who campaigns the loudest,” Awang Azman said.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s political battlefield is shifting beneath the feet of the established parties as whispers of GE16 grow louder. Emerging parties, elite fractures and unpredictable alliances are transforming what was once a predictable contest into a high-stakes fight for power. Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Perikatan Nasional (PN) still commands a solid Malay

generally do not set term limits for their prime ministers. “There is no country practising the Westminster model that limits its prime minister to two terms. “The idea usually exists in presidential systems,” he said, explaining that in such systems, the president is directly elected and appoints Cabinet members at their discretion. “In Malaysia’s parliamentary Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said the move could further divide the Malay vote. “Umno’s support is still concentrated at about 30% to 35% nationally, although it reaches 45% in states such as Johor and Malacca. “Direct BN-PH contests in marginal seats could make them highly competitive and potentially lead to a more fragmented Parliament,” he said, adding that hybrid contests similar to

he told theSun. His the government’s proposal to amend the Federal Constitution to impose a two-term limit on the prime minister, a measure requiring a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, which fell short last Monday. Zaid described the proposed amendment as more symbolic than structural, adding that countries practising the Westminster system comment follows president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin joining a new party and PKR’s former deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli charting his own path, signal fractures at the top. Awang Azman said this could split Malay votes, complicate post-election negotiations and make it unlikely that any single bloc would secure an outright majority. The fragmentation is compounded by Barisan Nasional’s (BN) plan to contest 115 seats independently.

He said the outcome highlighted the challenges in building broad political consensus for institutional reforms, adding that returning the mandate to voters is one way to address such situations democratically. “If the government cannot obtain sufficient support for what it regards as an important reform, then the proper course is to dissolve Parliament and let the rakyat decide,” voting bloc and well-organised structures in the East Coast and Kedah, but its appeal remains geographically limited. “PN will remain a strong challenger for the Malay bloc, but not necessarily a dominant national force,” he said, adding that perceptions of extremism among non-Malay voters could restrict the coalition’s influence. The political landscape is also being reshaped by fragmentation. Reports of sacked Bersatu deputy

‘Dissolving Parliament proper course after failed bid to pass Bill on PM tenure’

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has suggested that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could consider calling a general election after the government was unable to secure the necessary support for a constitutional amendment to limit the tenure of the prime minister.