Political storm: How PN has altered the power balance in states
The powerful winds that blew Pakatan Harapan out of Putrajaya and ushered in Perikatan Nasional (PN) have also swept away several state governments.
After Bersatu and a string of assemblypersons changed allegiances, four states saw a new government while the compositions of six state governments changed. The balance of power in three other states remain largely unchanged at the time of writing.
- Updated April 2: Perak names a new executive council.
Updated May 22: Kedah falls to Perikatan Nasional following a loss of confidence in Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.
Updated Oct 13: Sabah elects new Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government after snap state election. Two Penang Bersatu representatives rescind support for Harapan.
The powerful winds that blew Pakatan Harapan out of Putrajaya and ushered in Perikatan Nasional (PN) have also swept away several state governments.
After Bersatu and a string of assemblypersons changed allegiances, four states saw a new government while the compositions of six state governments changed.
Fast forward to September, Sabahans elected the new Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government.
At time of writing, only Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak and Pahang appear to be spared of significant changes.
As a result, PN and ally GPS now hold 10 states while Harapan has three.
Below is an overview of the changes observed in all 13 state governments since PN came into federal power. This article will be updated as and when needed.
Change in state governments
JOHOR (PN)
This was the first state to change hands. The new Johor government was declared four days after the “Sheraton Move” on Feb 23. Named after the luxury hotel where PN was birthed, the move triggered a slew of defections and led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal government.
Significant is the ever-changing allegiance of Pemanis assemblyperson Dr Chong Fat Full. As the Sheraton Move unfolded, Chong, a PKR member, first swore allegiance to PN, then Harapan and finally PN again, all in a matter of days.
He is now part of new Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad’s executive council (exco).
The PN state government presently has a slim one-seat majority in the 56-seat legislative assembly.
PERAK (PN)
When the new PN state government was announced, it was revealed that two assemblypersons - PKR’s Abdul Yunus Jamahri (Kuala Kurau) and independent Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi (Tualang Sekah) - had jumped ship to Bersatu.
This was followed by three more defections from Harapan. DAP’s Paul Yong (Tronoh), A Sivasubramaniam (Buntong) and Amanah’s Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim (Titi Serong) - all quit their parties to back the new coalition.
PN now has 35 seats in the 59-seat legislative assembly. Bersatu’s Chenderiang assemblyperson Ahmad Faizal Azumu was reappointed as the menteri besar and has announced a new lineup of excos.
The full lineup comprises six excos from Umno, two from Bersatu and two from PAS.
MALACCA (PN)
Defections by two Harapan representatives - PKR’s Muhammad Jailani Khamis (Rembia) and DAP’s Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu) - helped form the new PN state administration. The duo has been fired from their parties.
The power transition hit a bump when three days into the new government, Malacca BN decided to cut ties with Bersatu and refused to allow the latter’s lawmakers to co-rule. Despite the rejection, Malacca Bersatu maintained its support for PN.
This gives PN 15 seats in the 28-seat legislative assembly. Umno’s Lendu assemblyperson Sulaiman Ali is the new chief minister. A new exco has been announced.
KEDAH (PN)
The Bersatu-led state government initially resisted falling to PN due to Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir's decision to continue working with Harapan. At the time, the five other Bersatu assemblypersons backed the move.
About two and a half months later on May 12, four Bersatu assemblypersons joined a declaration of no-confidence in Mukhriz's leadership and backed a PN state government.
They are - Juhairi Bulat (Ayer Hangat), Mohd Firdaus Ahmad (Kuah), Halimaton Shaadiah Saad (Bukit Kayu Hitam) and Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (Guar Chempedak).
Two PKR assemblypersons - Dr Robert Ling Kui Ee (Sidam) and Azman Nasrudin (Lunas) - also declared a shifting of allegiances to PN after announcing their exodus from the party.
Losing his majority, Mukhriz resigned after some initial reluctance. Former Opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (Jeneri), from PAS, was installed as the new MB. A new exco lineup has been announced.
From a slim one-seat majority under Mukhriz's administration, the new PN government has 23 seats in the 36-seat state legislative assembly - one seat shy of a two-thirds majority.
SABAH (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah)
The Warisan-Harapan state government held things together for four months after PN came into power before former chief minister Musa Aman mounted a formidable, but eventually unsuccessful, political coup.
The coup led chief minister Shafie Apdal to seek a dissolution of the state assembly and a snap election.
After the Sept 26 election, Warisan and its allies went from having a supermajority in the House to being in the opposition to the brand new Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance comprising PN (Bersatu and Star), BN and PBS. Independent Kemabong assemblyperson Rubin Balang later declared his support for PN.
Six nominated assemblypersons, including a first from PAS, were swiftly appointed to bolster GRS’s majority, giving it a total of 45 seats in the 79-seat House. Appointed by the governor on the chief minister’s advice, nominated assemblypersons enjoy the same voting rights as their elected counterparts.
Changes in state government composition
SELANGOR (Pakatan Harapan)
The Harapan state government ejected Bersatu from all positions following the latter’s move to quit the coalition and form PN at the federal level. This includes two former representatives who quit PKR for Bersatu - Azmin Ali (Bukit Antarabangsa) and Hilman Idham (Gombak Setia).
However, four Bersatu assemblypersons have taken a different stance from the rest of the party and declared their allegiance with Harapan. They are Sallehuddin Amiruddin (Kuang), Mohd Shaid Rosli (Jeram), Harumaini Omar (Batang Kali) and Adhif Syan Abdullah (Dengkil).
From 50 seats, Harapan now has a slightly reduced supermajority of 47 seats in the 56-seat legislative assembly.
PENANG (Pakatan Harapan)
After previously standing by Harapan, both Bersatu assemblypersons Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkilfy Md Lazim (Telok Bahang) rescinded their support in May.
This came after the duo were offered positions at federal agencies.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow then demanded they vacate their seats as per the Penang Constitutional Enactment (Amendment) 2012. They have yet to do so at time of writing.
Their defection does not significantly affect the balance of power. Harapan’s supermajority drops from 37 to 35 seats in the 40-seat state legislature.
KELANTAN (PN)
PAS previously held the state with a 37-seat supermajority. The new PN state government now rules the entire 45-seat legislative assembly with no opposition.
TERENGGANU (PN)
PAS previously held the state with a 22-seat supermajority. The new PN state government now rules the entire 32-seat legislative assembly with no opposition.
PERLIS (PN)
BN previously held the state with 9 out of 15 seats. The new PN state government has a supermajority with 12 seats in the legislative assembly.
No change in state governments
SARAWAK (GPS)
There is no change in the balance of power in the state as GPS has declared itself to be PN-friendly.
The opposition, however, is now more split. Two assemblypersons have quit PKR to become independents but have not declared their support for any coalition. They are - Ali Biju (Saratok) and Baru Bian (Ba ‘Kelalan).
PAHANG (PN)
The new PN state government has the same number of seats as the previous BN-PAS government - a supermajority of 33 out of 42 seats.
NEGERI SEMBILAN (Pakatan Harapan)
There is no change in the balance of power in the state.
