Barisan Nasional
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Template:Politics of Malaysia Image:Bn logo.gif 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.
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
- 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
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.
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.