Barisan Nasional

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Barisan Nasional (BN) is a political coalition in Malaysia. It was founded in 1973 as a successor to the Alliance Party, which had been in power since the country's independence in 1957. The coalition is composed of several political parties, with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) being the dominant party.

History

Barisan Nasional was established on 1 January 1973, following the 13 May Incident in 1969, which led to a period of political instability in Malaysia. The coalition was formed to promote national unity and to ensure a stable government. It initially included the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), and several other parties.

Structure

The coalition is led by a chairman, who is traditionally the president of UMNO. The leadership structure also includes a deputy chairman, a secretary-general, and a treasurer. Each member party retains its own leadership and organizational structure but works together under the BN umbrella.

Member Parties

Barisan Nasional is composed of several political parties, including:

• United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
• Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
• Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
• Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan)
• Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB)
• Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)
• Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
• Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)

Political Ideology

Barisan Nasional promotes a centrist ideology, focusing on multiracialism, economic development, and national unity. The coalition supports the New Economic Policy (NEP), which aims to reduce economic disparities between different ethnic groups in Malaysia.

Electoral Performance

Barisan Nasional has been a dominant force in Malaysian politics, winning the majority of seats in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) in most general elections since its formation. However, in the 2018 Malaysian general election, BN lost its majority for the first time, leading to the formation of a new government by the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Criticisms and Controversies

Barisan Nasional has faced various criticisms and controversies over the years, including allegations of corruption, gerrymandering, and political repression. The 1MDB scandal was a significant issue that affected the coalition's reputation and contributed to its defeat in the 2018 general election.

Related Pages

• Politics of Malaysia
• United Malays National Organisation
• Malaysian Chinese Association
• Malaysian Indian Congress
• Pakatan Harapan
• 2018 Malaysian general election
• 13 May Incident