Barisan Nasional to leave unity government after Parliament dissolution, Zahid says

KUALA LUMPUR, JOHOR, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Barisan Nasional to exit unity government immediately after Parliament dissolution, declares Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR — Barisan Nasional (BN) will formally withdraw from the national unity government the moment Parliament is dissolved, its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared on Sunday, marking a definitive end to the coalition’s post-election alliance.

The announcement, made during the 18th annual general assembly of Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia at the World Trade Centre, underscores BN’s insistence on maintaining its political independence even as it fulfills its pledge to remain in government until the current parliamentary term concludes.

The declaration carries immediate political weight, as it signals BN’s refusal to extend its participation beyond the constitutional mandate of the 15th Parliament. With the next general election looming and state-level contests—including the recent Johor polls—already exposing internal divisions, Zahid’s statement clarifies that BN’s unity government partnership is strictly transactional, tied to the duration of the dissolved legislature.

The move also raises questions about the stability of the ruling coalition, particularly as opposition parties and smaller allies assess whether BN’s exit will trigger a government collapse or force a reshuffle.

Zahid reiterated that BN’s decision to join the unity government after the 15th General Election was made in consultation with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, framing it as a temporary arrangement to ensure national stability. "The moment the current Parliament is dissolved, we will no longer be part of that government," he stated in his keynote address. "That is our promise. It is a promise we made to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

It is a commitment we made when we entered the unity government." His remarks came as part of a broader defense of BN’s political identity, insisting the coalition would not abandon its core principles or strategic autonomy even while participating in the broader alliance.

The BN chairman emphasized that the coalition’s participation in the unity government did not equate to surrendering its political independence. "Barisan remains Barisan," he asserted. "Our agreement is at the national level.

The recent state elections, including in Johor, showed that we can uphold that principle." He pointed to BN’s decision to contest all 56 seats in Johor as evidence of its willingness to operate independently at the state level, even while maintaining a national-level alliance.

"We can still compete against each other and have different political alignments at the state level," Zahid added, signaling that intra-coalition rivalries—particularly with parties like UMNO—would persist even as BN remains in the federal government.

The timing of Zahid’s announcement is significant, coming just days after BN’s performance in Johor’s state elections, where the coalition secured a majority but faced internal challenges from allies like Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). While BN emerged as the dominant force in Johor, the results also highlighted fractures within the unity government, with some allies accusing BN of prioritizing its own interests over broader coalition goals.

Zahid’s insistence on an immediate exit post-dissolution suggests BN is preparing for a post-unity government landscape, where it may either seek new alliances or operate as a standalone force in the next election.

The declaration also carries constitutional implications, as BN’s withdrawal could trigger a period of political uncertainty. Under Malaysian law, the dissolution of Parliament typically precedes a general election, but the timing of the next poll remains unclear. If BN’s exit leads to a loss of majority support in the government, it could force Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to either reshuffle the cabinet or call for early elections—a move that would further destabilize the political landscape.

Analysts have already speculated that BN’s decision may embolden smaller coalition partners, such as Parti Warisan and Parti Bersatu Sabah, to demand greater concessions or threaten to bolt if their interests are not protected.

Zahid’s remarks were not the first indication of BN’s intent to distance itself from the unity government. Earlier this month, he had reiterated in an interview with Astro Awani that BN would remain in the government only until the end of the current parliamentary term. "In a complex situation, we want a fixed compass," he said at the time.

"BN decided to be part of the government after GE15, and our commitment remains to stay in the government until the end of the 15th term." His repetition of this stance on Sunday shows the coalition’s resolve, even as it faces criticism from within its own ranks and from opposition parties, who argue that BN’s exit strategy lacks transparency.

The political fallout of BN’s decision is likely to be felt most acutely in the states, where the coalition’s dominance in Johor and other BN-held territories may be tested by shifting alliances. With the next general election expected within the next two years, BN’s move could accelerate a realignment of forces, potentially paving the way for new coalitions or even a return to single-party governance.

For now, however, Zahid’s declaration serves as a clear warning: BN’s participation in the unity government is finite, and once Parliament is dissolved, the coalition will revert to its traditional role as a standalone political entity—ready to compete, negotiate, or even confront its former allies on its own terms.

As the political landscape shifts, the focus now turns to the government’s response. With BN’s exit timed to coincide with the end of the parliamentary term, the unity government’s ability to govern smoothly will depend on whether smaller allies can fill the void left by BN’s departure—or whether the coalition’s collapse will force Anwar’s hand in calling for an early election.

One thing is certain: Zahid’s announcement marks a turning point in Malaysia’s post-GE15 political calculus, where the lines between cooperation and competition are once again being redrawn.

Related: World Trade Centre · Ahmad Zahid Hamidi