Barisan Nasional (National Front)

The Organisation is basically a confederation of political parties which subscribe to the concept of Barisan Nasional. The Organisation consist of 14 smaller component parties which represents almost all the people of Malaysia, regardless of their race, religion, tribe, clan or ethnic group. Each component party is represented by three representatives; the president of each component party being the Vice-Chairman of Barisan Nasional except for the President's. UMNO's Chairman automatically becomes the Chairman of Barisan Nasional.

The Islamic Party of Malaysia (Pas)

Pas has long championed the wider use of Islamic law in Malaysia and is the only opposition party to have won control of a state government - the state of Kelantan on Malaysia's predominantly Muslim east coast. The party has a strong support base in the northern and eastern Malay heartland and can count on mounting support among Malay students. Pas has its sights set on expanding it influence in at least three other states in this election, but observers say its campaign to turn Malaysia into a fully fledged Islamic state could scare off many voters. In July, for example, one Pas MP introduced a bill that would have brought in the death penalty for any Malay convicted of apostasy - renunciation of the Muslim faith. As a result party officials concede they will not be emphasising their calls for an Islamic state during this campaign.