Out with Bersatu, in with Wawasan, as Malaysia opposition coalition PN plans path to power

Malaysia's opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) is undergoing a significant political realignment with the emergence of Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan), a new party that secured three seats in the recent Negeri Sembilan state election.

Launched in June by former Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin, Wawasan's success signifies a potential shift within PN, which was formed in 2020. Previously, PN relied on Bersatu for a moderate Malay nationalist image and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) for electoral strength. Analysts now view Wawasan as a replacement for Bersatu, which has seen a significant drop in its parliamentary representation, with 19 MPs joining Wawasan.

This new alignment could allow PN to expand its appeal beyond PAS's traditional base and present a prime minister candidate acceptable to a broader range of Malaysians, including moderate Malays and non-Malays, in the next general election scheduled by early 2028. Political analyst Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia suggests that PN would likely avoid naming a PAS leader as prime minister due to potential unpopularity, favoring Hamzah Zainudin as their candidate, similar to how Muhyiddin Yassin of Bersatu previously held the role.

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If PN is to form the federal government, they would not name a PAS PM because they know that would not be very popular with a lot of Malaysians. So they’ll stick to the same formula. If before this Bersatu president Muhyiddin (Yassin) was their PM candidate, now most likely it is Hamzah.

The rise of Wawasan coincides with growing political friction within PN. PAS President Hadi Awang declared that Bersatu had automatically removed itself from PN after Muhyiddin announced plans to form a separate coalition. Hadi stated that forming another coalition meant automatic expulsion under PN's constitution. Bersatu, however, rejected this claim, asserting its continued membership in PN and accusing PAS of sidelining them in state election talks, a sentiment echoed by Bersatu's poor electoral performance.

Despite the internal rifts, PAS has shown a willingness to work with Hamzah. After Hamzah relinquished his Leader of the Opposition post following his expulsion from Bersatu, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar of PAS succeeded him. However, Hadi Awang later announced Hamzah would reclaim the role, while Samsuri would remain PN chairman, indicating a strategic balancing act within the coalition.

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He has already said he wants to establish another coalition, so he is automatically out. There is no need for a formal announcement. Under our constitution, if you go elsewhere to form another coalition, you are out.