Malaysia De-registers Main Opposition Bloc as Elections Loom

Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies cancelled the registration of Perikatan Nasional, the country’s opposition coalition, on October 20, 2026. The decision follows a dispute between its members, Islamist party PAS and nationalist party Bersatu. Authorities said the coalition’s response to a warning failed to address grounds for cancellation. The move comes ahead of the November 14 election in Melaka. Without registration, member parties cannot contest under the coalition’s banner. PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the bloc would challenge the order.