BN Remains Committed To Anwar-Led Federal Government Despite State Election Rivalry, Says Ahmad Zahid

MELAKA, Nov 12  – Barisan Nasional (BN) remains steadfast in supporting Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership at the federal level, despite both coalitions competing against each other in state elections.

Deputy Prime Minister and BN Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized on Thursday, November 12, 2026, that this unity is reflected in the seamless cooperation among coalition ministers within the Federal Cabinet.

“Yes, it is true that at the state level, whether in Johor, Negeri Sembilan or Melaka, we (PH and BN) are not on the same page. However, at the federal level, there is no question of us not supporting the Prime Minister,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters after attending an engagement session with Melaka Village Development and Security Committees (JPKK) in Ayer Molek.

“Even in Cabinet meetings, BN ministers have never disagreed with government policies or differed with the Prime Minister. At the state level, each party in the Unity Government has the right to determine its own direction, particularly during elections, including the current Melaka state election,” he added.

Response to Resignation Call from Gobind Singh Deo

Ahmad Zahid’s remarks came in response to a challenge issued earlier on Thursday by Digital Minister and DAP National Chairman Gobind Singh Deo, who suggested that Ahmad Zahid should resign if he no longer held confidence in the Anwar-led administration.

Gobind’s statement followed Ahmad Zahid’s earlier suggestion on November 10—made in the wake of Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s resignation—that dissolving Parliament to seek a fresh mandate from voters would be preferable to a Cabinet reshuffle.

16th Melaka State Election Contest Breakdown

With early voting completed on Tuesday and polling day set for Saturday, November 14, 2026, 79 candidates are competing across Melaka’s 28 State Legislative Assembly seats:

• Pakatan Harapan (PH): 24 seats
• Barisan Nasional (BN): 23 seats
• Parti Bersama Malaysia: 16 seats
• Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu): 7 seats
• Perikatan Nasional (PN): 5 seats
• Parti Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (PERKASA): 1 seat
• Independents: 3 seats

Coalition Dynamics, Political Exchange, and Melaka Seat Allocations

Key political stances, ministerial exchanges, and electoral metrics include:

• Federal Commitment: BN Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi affirms full, unbroken support for PM Anwar Ibrahim at the federal and Cabinet levels.
• State-Level Autonomy: Unity Government parties retain autonomy to chart independent electoral paths in state polls across Johor, Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka.
• Catalyst for Exchange: DAP Chairman Gobind Singh Deo urged Zahid to resign if lacking confidence in the PM, following Zahid’s Nov 10 suggestion to dissolve Parliament instead of reshuffling the Cabinet.
• Melaka Polling Schedule: Early voting held Tuesday, Nov 10; main polling day set for Saturday, Nov 14, 2026.
• 28-Seat Contest Breakdown: PH (24), BN (23), Parti Bersama Malaysia (16), Bersatu (7), PN (5), PERKASA (1), and Independents (3).

-NMT