BERSATU appears to be preparing for life beyond its current political arrangement, with party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin signalling that a new opposition alliance could take shape after the Negri Sembilan election as the party seeks to rebuild its standing ahead of the next GE.
Muhyiddin’s remarks came as Bersatu unveiled its 24 candidates for the Aug 1 state polls, where the party will abandon the Perikatan Nasional (PN) logo and contest under its own banner — a move that underscores growing differences within the opposition bloc.
The former prime minister said Bersatu “will not be alone” after the election, hinting at discussions with other political groups, including Prof P Ramasamy’s Urimai, as the party works towards forming what he described as a “formidable” coalition within the next year.
The announcement comes at a critical juncture for Bersatu, which is attempting to carve out its own identity after PN’s poor performance in the Johor election, where the coalition failed to win any of the 56 state seats.
Muhyiddin said the decision to use Bersatu’s own logo was based on lessons from Johor, claiming the party had been affected by voter dissatisfaction towards PAS because both parties contested under the same PN banner.
He argued that the new approach would allow voters to judge Bersatu independently based on its own principles and track record.
The shift, however, also exposes fresh strains within PN, with Bersatu set to clash directly with two of its coalition partners in eight constituencies in Negri Sembilan.
The party will face PAS in Serting, Ampangan, Paroi and Bagan Pinang, while also going against Parti Wawasan Negara in Klawang, Sikamat, Mambau and Gemas.
The overlapping contests highlight the competing ambitions among PN partners as they position themselves ahead of the next general election.
Among the notable figures fielded by Bersatu are party information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz in Sikamat, associate wing chief R Sri Sanjeevan in Jeram Padang, and Negeri Sembilan Bersatu chief Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker in Labu.
The party is also fielding former Malaysian Paralympic Council president Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin in Seri Menanti.
Bersatu will contest 24 seats using its own logo, with Muhyiddin describing the election as a measure of the party’s strength and urging its machinery nationwide to intensify efforts ahead of polling day. – July 17, 2026
