Bersatu has begun preparations to contest the upcoming Johor and Negri Sembilan state elections using the Perikatan Nasional (PN) logo, even though PN leadership has not convened a meeting to coordinate election strategies more than two weeks after the Johor assembly dissolution [1, 2]. Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party remains committed to PN and plans to fight the polls under the coalition banner. “We are ready to fight, because there is no consultation (at PN level)… that’s okay if they (PAS) want to fight here and there,” Muhyiddin said, adding that Bersatu has done calculations showing splitting votes would reduce their chances but the party is prepared to proceed regardless [3, 2].
PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also PAS vice-president, has yet to call a supreme council meeting for the coalition’s election preparations despite the election deadline approaching [1, 2]. Bersatu leaders warn that delays in coordination and internal conflict risk benefiting political rivals. Bersatu’s secretary-general Mohamed Azmin Ali has toured Johor and Negri Sembilan to mobilize support and engage with allied parties such as Muda and Pejuang [1].
The rift is further exposed by differing views on election branding within PN. PAS Youth chief accused Bersatu of challenging coalition unity and vowed PAS would continue fighting DAP and Pakatan Harapan while aiming to unite the Muslim vote [3]. Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz criticized PAS for contesting under the PN brand without mutual agreement, saying it would be "more honest and responsible to contest using their own identities rather than continue using the PN brand while simultaneously weakening the very foundation of the coalition" [1].
The future of Bersatu in PN remains uncertain, with Bersatu’s fate to be decided by a majority vote of the PN supreme council or, if necessary, referred to the coalition's Presidential Council, PN Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said [3]. Bersatu’s recent supreme council meeting saw Muhyiddin announce readiness to contest against PAS if coordination fails, signaling possible contested elections within the coalition [2].
Bersatu continues ground preparations in Johor and Negri Sembilan, with campaigning already underway and no clear timeline from PN leadership on formal strategy meetings. The state elections will test the cohesion of PN and Bersatu’s role within the coalition as the polls approach.
