Ahmad Zahid Hamidi predicted as potential PM if BN-PN alliance wins GE16

Political analysts and former lawmakers are discussing potential leadership scenarios for Malaysia’s 16th General Election (GE16). Analyst Ong Kian Ming predicts that if Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) form an alliance—referred to as a ‘blue wave’—Ahmad Zahid Hamidi could become the nation’s 11th Prime Minister.

Ong suggests that while PAS might secure more parliamentary seats than BN, Zahid could gain the necessary support for the premiership from parties in Sabah and Sarawak, such as GPS and GRS. This formation would rely on a narrative of Malay-Muslim unity to secure a majority.

Supporting this view, political science lecturer Muhammad Ariff Asyrul Adnan notes that PAS may need to be prepared to accept Zahid as Prime Minister. He suggests that for PAS, this would represent a strategic compromise, shifting from leadership demands based on electoral strength to a power-sharing formula aimed at forming a stable government.