They thought Barisan Nasional was finished. They were wrong. After its historic defeat in GE14, the coalition many had written off is once again finding its footing — and its voice. From the stunning wins in Johor and Negeri Sembilan to the growing unease within the Unity Government, Hasnah Rahman and Emma Harith look at the rise of Barisan Nasional, its renewed confidence and the new generation that could determine whether this is a comeback — or the beginning of something bigger.
Musicians need a sustainable livelihood, not just handouts, says MFM president Francis Danker, who wants hotels and resorts to open their stages to local performers and give them a steady platform to work, earn and preserve Malaysia’s musical heritage.
Ada luka yang sembuh dimamah waktu. Ada luka yang kembali berdarah setiap kali dikenang. Bagi orang Melayu, politik bukan sekadar soal menang atau kalah. Politik juga soal adab, maruah dan rasa hormat. Apabila adab diketepikan, hati mula terluka. Dan apabila hati sudah terluka, undi pada pilihan raya akan berbicara.
Old wounds rarely disappear on their own. Some heal with time. Others reopen whenever they are touched. The recent elections in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan suggest that many Malay voters continue to view politics through the lens of memory, dignity and respect—values that, in their eyes, have yet to be fully acknowledged.
As voters prepare to choose a new state government, Negeri Sembilan's unprecedented royal dispute leaves a question the ballot box cannot answer. And if the BN-PN pact topples Pakatan Harapan just weeks after its Johor rout, the consequences could extend far beyond Seremban — perhaps even accelerating the road to GE16.
Johor has delivered more than a state election result — it has sent a powerful political message to Putrajaya. The scale of Barisan Nasional's victory suggests that voters were motivated less by political rhetoric and more by concerns over the rising cost of living, governance and leadership, making the election a significant barometer of national sentiment.
Walaupun BN dijangka kekal mempertahankan Johor, persoalan sama ada gabungan itu mampu mengulangi kemenangan besar 2022 tanpa pengaruh Datuk Seri Najib Razak kini menjadi tumpuan utama.
The public break between Anwar and Rafizi exposes that the so-called reformist project by PKR died in government, leaving BN the only party offering coherence.
Eight years, and then some. GE14 toppled one government. Since then, we’ve had four prime ministers, BN is back in Cabinet, and reforms are stuck in committee.