BN formally admits PPP as component party, announces Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 18): The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has now been formally recognised as a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, announced Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Speaking as BN chairman, he said the official recognition ceremony will take place at the coalition’s supreme council meeting in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 21.

“Here, I hold a letter from the Registrar of Societies, dated Nov 25, 2025, which states that PPP is a party within Barisan Nasional,” he said in his speech officiating PPP’s 72nd annual general assembly at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, today.

The announcement was met with cheers from delegates and members, who rose to their feet, chanting “long live PPP”.

Also present were PPP president Datuk Dr J Loga Bala Mohan, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Wanita BN/UMNO chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, BN/UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, as well as party senior leadership and delegates.

Ahmad Zahid emphasised that following this recognition, no party may question PPP’s legitimate standing within BN.

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, he said the recognition affirms PPP as a full member of BN, adding that the official announcement was deliberately postponed so it could be made during PPP’s annual general assembly.

“My colleagues and I intentionally delayed this announcement because we were waiting for the PPP annual general assembly to be held,” he said.

He noted that the core membership of BN now comprises five parties: UMNO, MIC, MCA, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and PPP.

Ahmad Zahid said PPP’s inclusion is important to ensure stability and strengthen unity among BN’s component parties. – Bernama