Barisan Nasional

National Front Barisan Nasional 国民阵线 தேசிய முன்னணி
Chairman	Najib Tun Razak[1]
Deputy Chairman	Muhyiddin Yassin[2]
Founded	1973
Headquarters	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Membership	United Malays National Organisation Malaysian Chinese Association Malaysian Indian Congress Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia People's Progressive Party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak United People's Party Parti Bersatu Sabah Liberal Democratic Party Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation Parti Rakyat Sarawak
Ideology	Malay nationalism, Economic Conservatism, Social conservatism, Moralist, Right wing
Official colors	Blue, White
Parliament:	140 / 222
State Assemblies:	361 / 576
Website
http://www.bn.org.my/

Malaysia

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Malaysia

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Barisan Nasional (Malay; historically National Front; commonly abbreviated as BN) is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance (Perikatan). Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political party since independence. The coalition's headquarters is located in the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Barisan Nasional was delivered a severe political blow in the aftermath of the 2008 general elections when it lost more than one-third of parliamentary seats to Pakatan Rakyat, a loose alliance of opposition parties. Five state governments, Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak (which was later returned via court ruling following a constitutional crisis) and Selangor, fell to Pakatan Rakyat as well.

Organisation

The vast majority of Barisan Nasional's seats are held by its three largest religion and race-based political parties — the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) — each of which is sectarian in nature, though officially supporting racial harmony for the cameras. In the view of some scholars,

“

Since its inception the Alliance remained a coalition of communal parties. Each of the component parties operated to all intents and purposes, save that of elections, as a separate party. Their membership was communal, except perhaps Gerakan, and their success was measured in terms of their ability to achieve the essentially parochial demands of their constituents.[3]

”

Although both the Alliance and Barisan Nasional registered themselves as political parties, membership was only possible indirectly through one of the constituent parties. In the Alliance, one could hold direct membership, but this was abolished with the formation of the Barisan Nasional. The Barisan Nasional defines itself as "a confederation of political parties which subscribe to the objects of the Barisan Nasional". Although in elections, all candidates stand under the Barisan Nasional symbol, and there is a Barisan Nasional manifesto, each individual constituent party also issues its own manifesto, and there is intra-coalition competition for seats prior to nomination day.^[4]

As of August 2009, Barisan Nasional's member parties are:

• United Malays National Organization (UMNO)
• Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
• Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
• Malaysian People's Movement Party (GERAKAN)
• People's Progressive Party (PPP)
• Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB)
• Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP)
• Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)
• Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
• Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS)
• United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO)
• Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
• Sarawak People's Party (PRS)

Party loyalty in Parliament

In 2005, the issue of voting along party lines was brought up when two Barisan National Members of Parliament (MPs), Bung Moktar Radin and Mohamed Aziz, supported a motion by Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to refer International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary Sidek Hassan to the Committee of Privileges. Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also the BN whip in the Dewan Rakyat (lower house of Parliament) had the two MPs referred to the Cabinet for breaking the BN policy of never voting for motions proposed by the opposition. According to Najib, the two MPs apologised for their actions once informed of their mistake. Eventually, the Cabinet settled on a reprimand and with no further action taken.

In the aftermath of the general election held on March 8, 2008, there were calls from component parties from Sabah and Sarawak for more autonomy from the federal government.

In 2008, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), consisting of two MPs, announced it would leave Barisan Nasional to sit on the crossbenches of Parliament.^[5]

Controlled States & Chief Ministers

• Johor
  • Menteri Besar: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Abdul Ghani Othman
• Malacca
  • Chief Minister: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam
• Negeri Sembilan
  • Menteri Besar: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad Hassan
• Perak
  • Menteri Besar: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir
• Pahang
  • Menteri Besar: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob
• Perlis
  • Menteri Besar: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Md Isa Sabu
• Sabah
  • Chief Minister: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Musa Aman
• Sarawak
  • Chief Minister: Yang Amat Berhomat Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud
• Terengganu
  • Menteri Besar: Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Ahmad Said

References

1. ^ MIC must deliver Hulu Selangor seat, says Najib The Malay Mail. April 16, 2010
2. ^ Muhyiddin: No Let-Up In BN Campaign Until Task Done The Malay Mail. April 24, 2010
3. ^ Rachagan, S. Sothi (1993). Law and the Electoral Process in Malaysia, p. 12. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya Press. ISBN 967-9940-45-4.
4. ^ Rachagan, p. 21.
5. ^ "Rebel party wins support in no-confidence against Malaysian PM". AFP (AFP). 20 June 2008. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hC1luesU7dB96SSXc-SW3Dh9cLUA. Retrieved 20 June 2008. 

• Chok, Suat Ling (Oct. 4, 2005). "MPs in the dock". New Straits Times, p. 1, 6.
• Chin, James. 2002. Malaysia: The Barisan National Supremacy. In David Newman & John Fuh-sheng Hsieh (eds), How Asia Votes, pp. 210–233. New York: Chatham House, Seven Bridges Press. ISBN 1-889119-41-5.
• Pillai, M.G.G. (Nov. 3, 2005). "National Front parties were not formed to fight for Malaysian independence". Malaysia Not Today

External links

• Barisan Nasional website