A one-way exit: once you depart from BN, there’s no return trip, Zahid warns
14-Dec-2025, 14:42
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi cautioned any party considering withdrawal from the coalition to think carefully before acting, insisting there will be no readmission should they choose to rejoin later.
Speaking at the Indian Progressive Front’s (IPF) general assembly in Semenyih, Zahid stated, “Once you leave BN, there will be no road back.” He urged restraint, saying, “Don’t push the BN leadership to decide for you… Only time will tell if you are on the right path.”
While he did not name any specific BN component party, his remarks come amid rumors that MIC and MCA might exit the coalition.
Historically, Umno, MCA, and MIC helped found the pre-independence Alliance Party, which rebranded as Barisan Nasional in 1974.
Recent reports noted MCA president Wee Ka Siong’s stance on December 7, suggesting the party would reassess its BN position if Umno, a key ally, pushes for closer ties with parties outside BN, particularly the DAP.
MIC is also at a crossroads, having reached out to Perikatan Nasional for information about joining the opposition coalition.
Zahid added that Malaysia’s political terrain remains flexible with the next general election less than two years away, saying, “Many things can happen now and changes are anticipated.” He warned against regretting a choice that no longer fits the shifting political landscape, noting you might find yourself stuck in a bad position.
Zahid on IPF’s request for full membership
Separately, Zahid indicated that IPF’s bid to upgrade its status from “Friends of BN” to a full BN component party is unlikely to meet immediate resistance from BN’s core leadership. He stressed that such a move would require consensus among BN’s core parties, but he added, “In the near future, this proposal would not be opposed by anyone.”
Earlier, IPF president T Loganathan reiterated the party’s desire to be fully absorbed into BN after supporting the coalition for 35 years. The IPF traces its roots to a splinter group from MIC, formed in 1990.
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