Key facts
- Barisan Nasional coalition won 48 of 56 seats in the Johor state election.
- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan coalition secured only eight seats.
- The opposition Perikatan Nasional lost all 33 seats it contested.
- The victory could strain federal ties between the ruling coalitions.
Malaysia's ruling coalition partner, Barisan Nasional (BN), achieved a commanding victory in the Johor state assembly election, winning 48 out of 56 seats. This outcome represents a significant defeat for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, which secured only eight seats, down from 12 previously. The result raises concerns about the strength and stability of the federal alliance formed between PH and BN after the 2022 general election, despite assurances from both sides that their partnership can withstand state-level differences. BN Chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed hope that the win would trigger a broader "blue wave" across other states. The defeat could embolden BN, led by UMNO, and signal a loss of ground for Anwar's coalition among ethnic Chinese voters and reform-minded supporters, potentially exacerbated by frustration over the slow pace of reforms and clashes on sensitive racial and religious issues. The opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, including Bersatu and the Islamist party Pas, was entirely defeated, losing all 33 seats it contested.