Perikatan Nasional

Perikatan Nasional (the National Alliance) was formed in 2020 in the aftermath of the Sheraton Move, the defection of legislators that brought down the sitting Pakatan Harapan government mid-term and installed Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.

It is anchored by two parties: the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), founded by figures who left UMNO, and the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), the country's principal Islamist party and the longtime governing force in Kelantan and Terengganu. The combination gives the coalition a platform centred on Malay-Muslim political interests and a larger role for Islamic law.

Perikatan Nasional held federal power only briefly, from 2020 to 2021. At the 2022 general election it performed far more strongly than expected, particularly across the northern peninsular states, and it has since been the main bloc opposing the unity government.

Legal status (as of 25 Oct 2026): The Registrar of Societies (RoS) suspended Perikatan Nasional's activities with effect from 23 Sep 2026 and revoked its registration on 20 Oct 2026 under s.13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966. On 22 Oct 2026 the Kuala Lumpur High Court stayed both the suspension and the revocation pending the full hearing of PN's judicial review, which allows PN to continue its activities, including contesting the Melaka state election. The court did not rule on whether the revocation was valid. On 23 Oct 2026 RoS and the Home Minister appealed the stay to the Court of Appeal. (Sources: RoS statement, 20 Oct 2026; Bernama, The Star and Malay Mail, 22–23 Oct 2026.)