Can Barisan Nasional contest GE14 if Umno is declared illegal?

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Barisan Nasional Can Contest GE14 Even If Umno Is Declared Illegal

Barisan Nasional (BN) retains the ability to contest in the upcoming General Election 14 (GE14) even in the event that its component party, Umno, is declared illegal. This is due to BN being a distinct registered entity with its own registration number, comprising 13 component parties, and not Umno itself that will be nominating and fielding candidates.
BN's Separate Legal Status

The coalition Barisan Nasional is recognised as a registered society with its own unique registration number, separate from its constituent parties. It is this coalition, comprising 13 component parties including Umno, that holds the legal standing to participate in elections. Therefore, any legal challenges or deregistration concerning Umno would not inherently invalidate BN's ability to contest.
Candidate Nomination and Appointment

The process for nominating and appointing candidates for GE14 will be conducted by Barisan Nasional, not Umno. Appointment letters, known as watikah, will be signed by the BN chairman, signifying that it is BN candidates, representing the coalition, who are competing in the election. This procedural distinction ensures that the coalition's participation remains unaffected by the legal status of an individual member party.
Historical Precedent

A precedent for such a situation exists from 1987, when Umno was declared illegal by the courts. During that period, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad continued to serve as prime minister, and other ministers retained their positions, while a new party, Umno Baru, was formed. This historical event demonstrates that the dissolution or deregistration of a core party within a coalition does not automatically lead to the dissolution of the coalition itself.
Coalition Leadership Continuity

The constitution of Barisan Nasional allows for the coalition's leadership structure to remain intact even if one of its member parties is deregistered. The BN constitution does not stipulate that the chairman of Barisan Nasional must concurrently hold the position of president of Umno. Typically, the chairmanship of BN is determined by the parliamentary seat strength of a party within the coalition, suggesting a mechanism for leadership continuity independent of Umno's specific status.

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Can Barisan Nasional contest GE14 if Umno is declared illegal?

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