Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) maintain a strong and professional relationship at the federal level despite the heated Johor state election campaign, officials said in early July 2026 [1, 2, 3]. BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the cooperation as "very good" and emphasized the importance of professionalism and political maturity. "We remain highly professional," Zahid said at events in Bandar Tenggara and Kota Masai on July 4, warning that neither coalition attacks each other during campaigning. "Among the approaches we have adopted is that we do not attack one another, even though we are contesting in the same arena, particularly in Johor," he said [2].
The two coalitions distinguish clearly between national and state-level issues. While they jointly handle national matters as Cabinet members, they engage in competitive but respectful campaigning for Johor state assembly seats. BN and PH have embraced a mature approach, avoiding "attacks below the belt," Zahid added [1, 2, 3].
At the federal level, Barisan Nasional is part of the Unity Government formed after the 2022 general election, positioned between PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke in the coalition structure. Zahid likened himself to a "sandwich" between the two leaders and said PH should acknowledge that "without our 30 seats, they would not have had enough numbers to form the government" [4]. BN won 30 parliamentary seats in the 15th General Election, supporting the federal government's formation to prevent political uncertainty [4].
In Johor, BN controls the state government but still cooperates federally, showcasing the ability to function at both levels simultaneously [4]. Key BN candidates in the Johor election include Dr Naqib Ghazali for Panti and former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba standing in Pasir Raja, both medical specialists [1, 2, 3].
The Johor state election campaign includes 172 confirmed candidates competing for seats. Early voting was held on July 7, 2026, with the main election scheduled for July 11, 2026 [2, 3]. BN and PH have stressed continuing respectful campaigning through the election period.
The next milestone is the official polling day on July 11, when Johor voters decide their state representatives amid this unique political balance between cooperation and competition at different government levels.
