00:00An analyst has warned Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional against adopting the brand
00:06name Perikatan Barisan Nasional for their new alliance, saying the move may be premature.
00:12International Islamic University Malaysia analyst Shaza Shukri said BN Chairman Ahmed Zahid Hamidi
00:19has until now only described the tie-up as an understanding reached for the Negeri Sembilan
00:25polls. She warned that rushing into rebranding the partnership could confuse voters, especially
00:31given the two coalitions' intense rivalry previously. Shaza also said the rebranding may
00:37evoke unhappy memories of their now-defunct Muafakat Nasional pact. She said both coalitions would
00:45need to first convince their supporters of the benefits of an alliance between the two former
00:49adversaries. Shaza also said naming the alliance now would create the impression that BN and PN
00:57have formed an official pact. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zaharudin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting
01:04said the proposed name could unsettle BN grassroots. He said placing Perikatan before Barisan Nasional
01:10would suggest that PN is the dominant coalition. Zaharudin said BN supporters may see it as a step
01:17down for a brand that once ruled Malaysia for 61 years. The Negeri Sembilan State polls on August 1st
01:25will see BN contesting in 25 seats, while PN will vie for 11. Jessalyn Kaur, FMT.
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