Malaysian State Political Cooperation Based on Local Needs, Not Federal Impact: UMNO Chief

Political cooperation formed at the state level in Malaysia is determined by local circumstances and the specific leadership of each political party, according to UMNO Information Chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She emphasized that these state-level arrangements do not undermine the foundation of the federal Unity Government, as both operate under different political contexts and requirements.

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I see the states as different from the center. Because each state has its own state constitution, its own state leadership, and then its own His Royal Highness the Sultan or their Raja.

Azalina clarified that state political cooperation should not be equated with federal administration due to differing political landscapes. She pointed out that each state possesses its own constitution, leadership, and a unique relationship with its respective Sultan or Raja. "So, to me, the states are quite different from the center for us to equate them," she remarked after attending a monthly assembly in Putrajaya.

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So, to me, the states are quite different from the center for us to equate them.

Her comments addressed a statement by former UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr. Mohd. Puad Zarkashi, who urged Perikatan Nasional (PN) to sever ties with Barisan Nasional (BN) following BN's cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Melaka. Azalina reiterated that the party leadership has previously explained the distinction between federal political cooperation and state-level government formation. She cited examples like Johor, where BN contested alone, and Negeri Sembilan, where cooperation occurred, noting that Sabah also saw an indirect cooperation with PH, illustrating the varied approaches taken by different states based on their own political party decisions.

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That is his view (Puad). He has since left the party, perhaps his view is harsher for his own reasons. But for us, we see that in Johor we went solo, in Negeri Sembilan we cooperated.