15/06/2026

MONDAY | JUNE 15, 2026 3 PKR to contest 36 seats in state polls PETALING JAYA: PKR will contest at least 36 seats across the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections after Pakatan Harapan (PH) completed seat negotiations among its component parties, signalling the coalition’s readiness for two of the country’s most closely watched state polls. PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said the party is expected to field candidates in at least 20 seats in Johor and 16 in Negeri Sembilan, with discussions within the coalition concluding smoothly. “The latest number of seats PKR will contest in Negeri Sembilan is 16, while the minimum in Johor is 20. Everything has been sorted out,“ she reportedly said after officiating the opening of a supermarket in Bandar Kuantan Putri, in Kuantan, yesterday. PH has previously announced that it will contest all 56 seats in Johor and all 36 seats in Negeri Sembilan. Fuziah also expressed confidence that voter turnout in Johor would be higher than during the 2022 state election, which was held while the country was still dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. “Many voters working in Singapore did not return to vote in 2022 because of health concerns. I am confident turnout will be higher this time.” On the emergence of new political parties such as Bersama and Wawasan, Fuziah said Malaysia’s political landscape had evolved significantly since the 2008 general election, moving away from the dominance of a single coalition. She said the rise of PKR, and its key role in PH, had strengthened political competition and provided voters with credible alternatives. “In many mature democracies, a multi-party system is the norm. It is also common for different coalitions to govern at the federal and state levels. This should not be seen as unusual in Malaysia.” Fuziah added that political parties should compete through policies and ideas that benefit the people rather than by attacking their opponents. The upcoming state elections are expected to be closely contested, with Barisan Nasional contesting all 36 seats in Negeri Sembilan on its own and Perikatan Nasional planning to field candidates across both states. Within PH, DAP has confirmed it will contest 17 seats in Johor and defend its 11 seats in Negeri Sembilan. ‘New Malay parties welcome if they unite’ JOHOR BAHRU: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed the formation of any new Malay-based political party, provided it contributes to greater unity among Malays and does not further divide the community. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, said any new political platform established by individuals or prominent figures should aim to unite Malay thinking and strengthen common objectives. “We welcome any individual or leader who wishes to establish a new platform, on the condition that it helps unite thinking and does not lead to further divisions. “Whatever platform is used, if it ultimately brings people together in support of the national agenda, the Islamic agenda and the interests of the Malay community, then it deserves support,” he told reporters after attending the ‘Haul Asmaulhusna 2026 Zikir’ at Sultan Iskandar Mosque in Bandar Dato Onn here on Saturday. Also present were Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. Ahmad Zahid was commenting on the emergence of a new political party centred on the Malay-Muslim struggle. On Saturday, RESET Movement founder Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin announced the formation of Parti Wawasan Negara, which is scheduled to hold its first annual general meeting next week. – Bernama Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newdesk@thesundaily.com

Political landscape redrawn by new Malay party

o Wawasan launch sparks debate over whether opposition is fragmenting or consolidating around PAS, says analyst

“Voters want parties that are there for the long haul because they’re thinking of the nation’s future. “For parties, or specifically Malay politicians, it provides flexibility to manoeuvre and thus longevity to their careers. But even that is not straightforward. We saw Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad trying with different parties and it didn’t work,” she said. Syaza added that the more fundamental challenge lies in whether any broader Malay alignment involving Umno, PAS and Wawasan can survive internal leadership competition. Speculation over a possible revival of Malay political cooperation has resurfaced following PAS’s decision to end its alliance with Bersatu, as well as recent engagements between Umno and PAS leaders. Syaza warned that any attempt to formalise a broader alignment would immediately face leadership tensions. “If they work together, it’s going to be problematic. Let’s take something as simple as the prime ministership. Would it be Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Hamzah or Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar? “Even if they can agree immediately after GE16, what happens in the future? Will they rotate leadership? “When there were only two parties, Bersatu and PAS within PN, it was already complicated enough to decide who would lead or chair the coalition. If there are three (parties), each with their own base, it becomes even more difficult.” She added leadership rivalry could ultimately become the central fault line in any attempt to build a durable Malay political umbrella, even if short-term cooperation is achieved.

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“The fragmentation comes from the sidelining of Bersatu within PN, although that has not officially happened yet. “The two main Malay political blocs now are Umno and PN (with the inclusion of Wawasan). Where is Bersatu in this equation? That is where the real fragmentation is.” Her comments point to a shifting Malay political landscape in which Bersatu’s long term relevance appears increasingly uncertain, even as PAS expands its influence across multiple political channels. The launch of Wawasan last Saturday, along with PAS’s reported involvement in its naming and positioning, has further strengthened the perception that the Islamist party is emerging as a central organising force within the Malay opposition bloc. “Not only the fact that Wawasan is working with PAS, but also the announcement of former leaders from Umno and other parties joining PAS is also pointing in that direction. “Furthermore, even Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party appear to be aligning with PAS. “There is an acknowledgment, I think, that we cannot avoid the future of Malaysian politics without PAS,” Syaza said. However, she cautioned that while such fluid alignments may offer short-term tactical advantages, they risk weakening voter confidence and long-term coalition stability. “I think the splintering weakens Malay-based coalitions just because it confuses voters.

PETALING JAYA: A new Malay-centric party linked to Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is fuelling questions over whether Malaysia’s opposition landscape is fragmenting ahead of GE16, or quietly shifting toward a PAS-centred realignment that could redraw coalition power dynamics. The launch of Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan) has added another layer to an already crowded Malay political field, but analysts say the more consequential development may not be fragmentation itself, but PAS’ growing role as a pivotal force within opposition alignments. International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst and ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri said the common narrative of widening fragmentation may be overstated, arguing instead that Wawasan is likely to operate within an existing opposition structure anchored by PAS. “I understand that fragmentation is an easy narrative to sell. But I don’t see further fragmentation caused by Wawasan. Wawasan will work with PAS – in that sense it is still consolidated within Perikatan Nasional (PN),” she observed. Instead, she said the more significant political rupture lies within the broader opposition structure, particularly Bersatu’s uncertain position.

QURANIC QUEST... Deputy Prime Minister Datuk

Seri Fadillah Yusof interacting with a

participant during the

presentation of hafazan prizes (a Quran memorisation competition) at

the opening ceremony of Surau Nurul Muslimin in

Kampung Sungai Bedil in Kuching, Sarawak yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC