KUALA LUMPUR June 16, 2026 – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has asserted that his party created the Perikatan Nasional (PN) flag now widely displayed across the country, while accusing others of claiming ownership of it.
Speaking at a press conference, Muhyiddin said: “Bendera pun kita yang buat dah naik kat seluruh negara, ada orang klaim dia punya” (We even made the flag that is now flying all over the country, yet some people are claiming it as theirs). He added that he does not wish to harbour ill feelings and remains committed to working hard for the upcoming state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
The remark comes as relations between Bersatu and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) have deteriorated sharply. PAS recently announced it would halt all political cooperation with Bersatu, citing differences over power-sharing and Malay-Muslim unity. This has sparked a broader dispute over control of the PN coalition brand, which both parties see as valuable for voter appeal ahead of future polls.
Muhyiddin, who has positioned Bersatu as a founding member of PN, reiterated that the party will remain in the coalition and contest the Johor (11 July) and Negeri Sembilan (1 August) state elections under the PN banner. He emphasised Bersatu’s role in establishing PN and expressed readiness to compete “on all fronts” if necessary.
Analysts note that the PN brand carries stronger recognition among voters than the individual party symbols of Bersatu or PAS. The coalition achieved significant success in the last general election, securing 74 parliamentary seats, with PAS contributing the majority.
The ongoing rift has led to public speculation about the future of the opposition alliance, with some observers describing it as a battle for “custody” of PN.
Bersatu has vowed to strengthen the coalition despite the challenges, while urging focus on public interests rather than internal conflicts.
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