BN has adopted a deliberately fluid approach to political cooperation, allowing tactical engagement with various blocs without rushing into formal alliances.
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) remains flexible and strategically managed, with analysts saying recent political developments in Negeri Sembilan are unlikely to destabilise the federal government.
Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said BN has adopted a deliberately fluid approach to political cooperation, allowing tactical engagement with various blocs without rushing into formal alliances.
“I see BN’s cooperation as loosely structured with any party or bloc. However, what transpired recently was not initiated by BN.
“Instead, it was Perikatan Nasional (PN) that reached out by submitting a letter to the Negeri Sembilan Umno secretary expressing its willingness to cooperate,” he said.
He said BN is expected to maintain its current alignment within the Unity government at least until the next electoral cycle, including the Malacca and Johor elections and the 16th general election.
“BN is taking a strategic approach and will not abandon its cooperation within the Unity government until the next round of elections.
“At the same time, it may adopt an electoral pact model, contesting agreed seats while maintaining its ‘solo’ identity based on the BN model.”
He dismissed speculation over meetings between Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and opposition leaders, including Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, describing such engagements as routine political practice.
“Meetings between leaders are normal in politics. They discuss and negotiate possible strategies that may benefit them.
“Unless there is an official announcement of cooperation, whether through a revived Muafakat Nasional or a formal BN-PN alignment, any claims remain speculative political talk,” he added.
Meanwhile, National Professors Council fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the political situation in Negeri Sembilan does not pose any threat to the stability of the federal Unity government.
“There is no issue of Negeri Sembilan undermining the Unity government at the federal level.
Ahmad Zahid has clearly stated his support for the prime minister until Parliament is dissolved.”
He said Negeri Sembilan stands out Johor and Malacca, where Umno holds a stronger position.
“In Johor and Malacca, Umno is dominant. But in states such as Perak and Pahang, Umno relies heavily on PH.
Negeri Sembilan is different, it is a more balanced contest. PH and BN are relatively equal in strength.”
He added that this balance makes Negeri Sembilan a useful “testing ground” for gauging voter sentiment in the absence of reliable opinion polling.
“We do not have consistent opinion polls to measure party strength. Elections remain the most reliable mechanism. If PH and BN are equally strong, then Negeri Sembilan becomes a testing bed to assess voter support for both coalitions.”
Azmi also said seat negotiations in other states, particularly Johor and Malacca, could prove more challenging than the situation in Negeri Sembilan.
“In some states, PH has demanded an equal share of seats, which creates more tension compared with what is happening in Negeri Sembilan. Those negotiations are potentially more contentious.”
He stressed that Umno’s political calculations are largely shaped by state-specific dynamics rather than a uniform national strategy.
“What happens in Negeri Sembilan, Johor or Malacca does not necessarily translate into a broader national shift. Umno tends to make decisions based on state-specific considerations.”
PH is governing Negeri Sembilan as a minority administration, holding 17 of the 36 state seats following BN’s withdrawal of support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. BN controls 14 seats while PN, which has aligned itself with BN, holds five.
