PAKATAN Harapan’s national convention in Johor Bahru became a platform for coalition leaders to confront both internal political fractures and broader reform challenges, as senior figures called for stronger unity and deeper structural changes ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun delivered one of the convention’s sharpest speeches, openly acknowledging that recent political turmoil in his state was triggered by what he described as betrayal from within Pakatan Harapan’s own ranks.
Addressing delegates at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Aminuddin used a vivid maritime metaphor to describe how internal disloyalty nearly destabilised the coalition government in Negeri Sembilan despite years of political cooperation.
“We in Negeri Sembilan have a large ship. The ship we built is magnificent, strong and able to withstand storms. We have travelled a long journey together.
“We as captains saw them show loyalty while inside the ship, but suddenly they became uncomfortable, perhaps it became too hot, perhaps they wanted something new, so they drilled holes from inside,” he said.
Although the political crisis had since been resolved, Aminuddin warned that the damage left lasting scars on the coalition and should serve as a lesson to party members as elections draw closer.
“The ship was pierced and water entered. I wondered why they drilled holes without any explanation, without any signs, without showing dissatisfaction. It turns out I forgot that when building a ship, perhaps we should also build a swimming pool.
“So, when the ship was pierced, it left an effect. Although we managed to patch it up, the marks of the leak remain. And when there are signs of leakage, that is the sign betrayal once existed,” he said.
Aminuddin said political attention should no longer focus exclusively on Johor and Melaka, warning that Negeri Sembilan could also become a major battleground in the coming elections amid shifting political alliances and growing grassroots tensions.
He said the PH convention demonstrated that the coalition was now preparing nationwide for possible state elections and the 16th General Election regardless of when polls are called.
“Today shows what has happened to us. Unity cannot simply be created overnight. Before the party elections in Negeri Sembilan, things were extremely chaotic, but today Negeri Sembilan is united and strong.
“We do not care who they are, as long as they are within PH. Please do not betray us,” he said.
The warnings over internal cohesion came as DAP leader and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok urged Pakatan Harapan to place gender representation at the centre of its electoral planning, warning that Malaysia’s female political participation now trails behind most ASEAN countries.
Teresa said the coalition, as the core of the MADANI Government, must lead efforts to reverse the decline in women’s parliamentary representation by fielding substantially more female candidates in future elections.
Speaking at the same convention, she described Malaysia’s current position within ASEAN rankings as deeply concerning and indicative of broader weaknesses in political reform efforts.
“What about Malaysia? In the Dewan Rakyat, women make up only 13.5 per cent, equivalent to just 30 female Members of Parliament, placing Malaysia as the second lowest in ASEAN, only narrowly ahead of Brunei at 11.4 per cent,” she said.
Teresa compared Malaysia’s figures with regional neighbours including Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, all of which have higher levels of female parliamentary representation.
She urged all Pakatan Harapan component parties to field significantly more women candidates in future general and state elections.
“Therefore, PH component parties must nominate more women candidates in the coming General Election and State Elections,” she said.
Teresa stressed that women should not merely be treated as quota fulfilments, but as leaders capable of contributing fresh perspectives and advancing social and political justice in Malaysia.
“Women are not merely quota fillers, but leaders who bring fresh perspectives and social-political justice to Malaysia,” she said.
The convention unfolded amid intensifying political manoeuvring across multiple states following Barisan Nasional’s announcement that it intends to contest all 56 Johor state seats independently, fuelling speculation over possible early elections and raising new questions about future cooperation within the Unity Government.
Against that backdrop, PH leaders appeared increasingly focused on consolidating grassroots support, containing internal tensions and strengthening electoral machinery ahead of what is expected to become one of Malaysia’s most competitive political cycles since the formation of the unity administration. – May 17, 2026
