KUALA LUMPUR — Barisan Nasional has formally reinstated the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as a component party of the coalition, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today.
Speaking in his capacity as BN chairman, Ahmad Zahid said the official recognition ceremony will be held during the coalition’s supreme council meeting in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 21.
He said the recognition was confirmed through a letter from the Registrar of Societies dated Nov 25, 2025, which states that PPP is a party within BN.
“I am holding the letter from the Registrar of Societies confirming that PPP is a component of Barisan Nasional,” he said when officiating PPP’s 72nd annual general assembly at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
The announcement was greeted with loud cheers from delegates, who rose to their feet chanting “long live PPP”, according to Bernama.
Among those present were PPP president Datuk Dr J Loga Bala Mohan, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Wanita BN and Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, BN and Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, as well as senior party leaders and delegates.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that following the recognition, PPP’s position within BN should no longer be questioned.
At a press conference later, he said the formal announcement was intentionally delayed so it could be made during PPP’s annual general assembly.
“My colleagues and I deliberately waited for the PPP general assembly before making this announcement,” he said.
He added that BN’s core membership now comprises five parties: Umno, MIC, MCA, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and PPP.
According to Ahmad Zahid, PPP’s inclusion is crucial in strengthening unity and ensuring stability within the BN coalition.
PPP, which was founded in 1953, served as a BN component for decades after the coalition was formed in 1974.
The party exited the coalition after the latter’s massive losses at the polls in the 2018 general election.
It also became embroiled in a leadership dispute before being deregistered by the RoS in 2019. The party was later re-registered in 2023.— January 18, 2026