Barisan Nasional

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Malaysia
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Barisan Nasional (National Front or BN) is a political coalition in Malaysia. Formed in 1973 as the successor of the Alliance (Parti Perikatan), it has ruled Malaysia uninterrupted (its term as the Alliance included) since independence.

The vast majority of Barisan Nasional's seats are held by its three largest race-based parties, each of which is sectarian in nature, though officially supporting racial harmony.

As of December 2003, Barisan Nasional's member parties are:

United Malays National Organization (UMNO)
Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Malaysian People's Movement)
People's Progressive Party (PPP)
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu
Sarawak United People's Party
Sabah Progressive Party(SAPP)
Parti Bersatu Sabah
Liberal Democratic Party
Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation
Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party

[edit] Party loyalty in Parliament

In 2005, the issue of voting on party lines was brought up when two BN Members of Parliament (MPs), Bung Moktar Radin and Mohamed Aziz, supported a motion by Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to refer International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary Sidek Hassan to the Committee of Privileges. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the BN whip in the Dewan Rakyat (lower house of Parliament) had the two MPs referred to the Cabinet for breaking the BN policy of never voting for motions proposed by the opposition.

According to Najib, the two MPs apologised for their actions once informed of their mistake. Eventually, the Cabinet decided to merely reprimand them and not mete out any punishment.

[edit] References

Chok, Suat Ling (Oct. 4, 2005). "MPs in the dock". New Straits Times, p. 1, 6.
Chin, James. 2002. Malaysia: The Barisan National Supremacy. In David Newman & John Fuh-sheng Hsieh (eds), How Asia Votes, pp. 210–233. New York: Chatham House, Seven Bridges Press. ISBN 1-889119-41-5.
Pillai, M.G.G. (Nov. 3, 2005). "National Front parties were not formed to fight for Malaysian independence". Malaysia Today.