Alwiyah Talib, the assemblywoman for the Endau state seat in Johor, announced her resignation from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and her return to Umno on June 4, 2026, just days after the Johor State Legislative Assembly was dissolved ahead of the state election [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Alwiyah was previously the Mersing Bersatu division chief and had contested the Endau seat under the Perikatan Nasional (PN)-Bersatu ticket in the 2022 Johor state election. She won that race with a majority of 3,041 votes, defeating candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN), Amanah, Pejuang, and an independent [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Originally, Alwiyah was elected to the Endau seat in the 2018 state election as a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate. She switched to Bersatu in May 2018 following changes in the federal political landscape [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
In a statement, Alwiyah said, "I have decided to announce my resignation from Bersatu and relinquish all my positions in the party with immediate effect, and to return to Umno. I wish to stress that this decision was made independently and was not influenced by any party" [1]. She added, "My stand remains to continue serving and safeguarding the welfare of the people in Endau. I believe this decision was made for continuity and a better future, while further strengthening unity within the constituency" [2].
Observers see her move as a setback for Bersatu in Johor while strengthening Barisan Nasional's position in a strategically important constituency ahead of the upcoming polls [2, 3, 4]. Alwiyah expressed her appreciation to the voters in Endau for their support and cooperation during her tenure [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The Johor State Legislative Assembly dissolution on June 1, 2026, has triggered the state election, scheduled to take place soon. Alwiyah's party switch marks a key development as candidates finalize their affiliations for the vote [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
