BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed allegations that the coalition copied Pakatan Harapan's (PH) manifesto for the Negeri Sembilan state election, saying BN's policy commitments are the product of long-term planning and governance rather than political imitation.
Speaking after a meet-and-greet session with the Indian community in Negeri Sembilan, Zahid said the coalition's manifesto reflected policies formulated and refined throughout BN's administration between 2004 and 2018.
"There is no question of 'copy and paste' because from 2004 until 2018, we developed these manifesto commitments. What we are doing now is improving on what already exists," he said.
He cautioned political opponents against making unfounded accusations merely to influence public perception.
"We did not regard what they did in Johor previously as 'copy and paste', so they should not accuse us of doing the same," he said.
Zahid said BN's primary objective was to continue development programmes that had been disrupted after the coalition lost power in the 2018 General Election.
"We have the same objective, which is to continue the development agenda that was interrupted when BN did not win enough seats to form the government in 2018.
"Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan certainly has every right, as BN chairman in Negeri Sembilan, to continue that agenda.
"I am confident he will carry it forward even more effectively together with the state leadership and BN component parties in Negeri Sembilan," he said.
His remarks followed claims by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Harun that BN's manifesto, unveiled a day earlier, closely mirrored initiatives already introduced and implemented by Pakatan Harapan.
Meanwhile, Zahid rejected Bersatu chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's assertion that tensions within the Unity Government were inevitable following recent controversy surrounding remarks made by PAS election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
The Deputy Prime Minister said cooperation among the coalition partners remained strong and that its stability would ultimately be reflected in the outcome of the Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug 1.
"Yes, that is his opinion. But we have mutual understanding. What matters is the result that we will see on 1 August.
"Whatever predictions or assumptions he makes are his right. However, we have built a strong working relationship, and that unity will be reflected in the outcome that we will all witness on 1 August," he said.
Muhyiddin had earlier argued that tensions within the governing coalition were foreseeable because it had been formed primarily to secure political power, citing his experience leading Perikatan Nasional.
The controversy stemmed from remarks made by Sanusi during a campaign rally in Jempol, where he claimed the political influence and economic position of the Malay community were steadily eroding and could disappear entirely within the next decade without significant political change.
Sanusi also described Malaysia as the only homeland for the Malays, comparing it with countries that have indigenous populations.
His remarks drew widespread criticism, including from Zahid, who had earlier reminded the Kedah Menteri Besar not to exploit racial and religious issues during campaigning for the Negeri Sembilan state election. - July 26, 2026
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