SEVERAL UMNO leaders have expressed reservations over Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s suggestion to brand the cooperation between PN and Barisan Nasional (BN) as “Perikatan Barisan Nasional”.
UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail dismissed the term as irrelevant, stressing that the current arrangement between the two political blocs was not the formation of a new coalition but merely an electoral understanding for the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election.
He said the cooperation was aimed at avoiding clashes in seat contests and improving their chances of winning, rather than creating a new political entity.
“His (Hamzah’s) statement is outside the context of what we discussed earlier. For me, the term is not relevant. This is only a cooperation for the current situation.
“I do not know how he interpreted it,” Wan Rosdy told reporters after attending a Negeri Sembilan election campaign programme in Palong 4, Jempol, last night.
Also present at the event, Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said BN leadership had never discussed or approved the use of the proposed new name.
He stressed that the cooperation with PN was based solely on an understanding to prevent overlapping contests and ensure both sides could secure victories in the state election.
“Regarding Perikatan Barisan Nasional, that was his (Hamzah’s) statement. The leadership has never agreed to it.
“Let us cooperate and have a mutual understanding, avoid seat clashes and work together to win in the Negeri Sembilan election,” he said.
Asyraf added that a successful partnership in Negeri Sembilan could potentially pave the way for a broader political alignment in the future.
“If we can cooperate well, insha-Allah, Negeri Sembilan can become the beginning and catalyst towards a unity that is desired by Muslims as a whole,” he said.
He also called on all parties to accept the cooperation sincerely, saying it was aimed at strengthening the opposition bloc and allowing it to govern effectively if given the mandate by voters.
“We must be sincere. We pray that Allah blesses this cooperation and makes things easier,” he said.
Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the question of naming the BN-PN cooperation should not become a major focus at this stage.
He said any decision on the matter would have to be made by the top leadership of both parties.
“That is merely his (Hamzah’s) suggestion and it will be decided by the leadership of both sides.
“But I think it does not bring anything significant and is not something that should be given much thought,” he said. – July 23, 2026
