Fresh strains are emerging in Malaysia’s ruling alliance as political jockeying and oneupmanship among the coalition’s parties led Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to raise the prospect of a snap general election if divisions deepen.
Politics Asia Facebook X LinkedIn Email Link Gift Expand Anwar Ibrahim Photographer: Ezra Acayan/AFP/Getty Images Facebook X LinkedIn Email Link Gift Gift this article Contact us: Provide news feedback or report an error Confidential tip?
Send a tip to our reporters Site feedback: Take our Survey New Window Facebook X LinkedIn Email Link Gift By Netty Idayu Ismail and Kok Leong Chan May 17, 2026 at 10:45 AM UTC Bookmark Save Fresh strains are emerging in Malaysia’s ruling alliance as political jockeying and oneupmanship among the coalition’s parties led Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to raise the prospect of a snap general election if divisions deepen.
The Barisan Nasional bloc led by United Malays National Organisation, said Saturday it would contest all 56 seats in the upcoming Johor state election without its federal ally, Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition. The move prompted Anwar to warn that Pakatan Harapan was prepared for a “full-scale” electoral fight if challenged, including in other states.
