THOUSANDS of Pakatan Harapan delegates and supporters from across Malaysia converged on Johor Bahru today as the ruling coalition opened its 2026 national convention with election preparations and political consolidation dominating the agenda.
Held at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre under the theme “Tekad MADANI, Harapan Rakyat”, the one-day gathering is expected to bring together more than 5,000 party leaders, delegates and grassroots members from PKR, DAP and Amanah.
The convention comes at a politically sensitive moment as speculation intensifies over possible early state elections in Johor and Melaka, while tensions continue to rise following Barisan Nasional’s decision to contest all 56 Johor state seats independently.
Large numbers of buses carrying party representatives from various states were seen arriving at the convention venue from as early as 7.30am, with registration counters quickly filling as attendance surged ahead of the main sessions.
Security personnel were deployed throughout the convention grounds to manage crowd movement and ensure smooth proceedings as delegates streamed into the venue wearing party attire and coalition colours in a display of solidarity.
The programme began with town hall and podcast sessions involving Pakatan Harapan’s Youth and Women’s wings, followed by speeches from coalition leaders representing different states.
Senior coalition figures are scheduled to convene later in the afternoon for the Presidential Council session, where several top leaders are expected to outline Pakatan Harapan’s political direction ahead of future electoral contests.
Among those scheduled to address delegates are DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Prime Minister and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to deliver the convention’s keynote address at approximately 3.35pm, with his speech anticipated to focus heavily on electoral strategy, coalition unity and preparations for the next phase of political competition.
Anwar is also expected to address the coalition’s approach towards the approaching Johor and Melaka state elections, while reinforcing cooperation within the Unity Government ahead of GE16.
The convention is widely viewed as a strategic mobilisation exercise aimed at strengthening grassroots machinery and reassuring supporters of Pakatan Harapan’s stability amid increasingly complex relations with Barisan Nasional at state level.
In a symbolic display of election readiness, the gathering will also feature the handover of election machinery kits to grassroots operatives, underscoring the coalition’s efforts to prepare its campaign network ahead of upcoming state and national polls.
Later in the evening, Pakatan Harapan leaders are scheduled to continue their political outreach with a major public rally and ceramah in the Puteri Wangsa state constituency, where coalition leaders are expected to address supporters on the evolving national political landscape. - May 17, 2026
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