Barisan Nasional

Barisan Nasional (Malay; historically National Front; commonly abbreviated as BN) is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance (Perikatan). Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence. The coalition's headquarters is located in the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Barisan Nasional was delivered a severe political blow in the aftermath of the 2008 general elections when it lost more than one-third of parliamentary seats to Pakatan Rakyat, a loose alliance of opposition parties. Five state governments, Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak (which was later returned via court ruling following a constitutional crisis) and Selangor, fell to Pakatan Rakyat as well.