The Perikatan Nasional government has been in power for merely a year but already rifts have appeared between coalition partners Umno and Bersatu.

Despite objections by some party leaders, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently announced the party's stance to not work with Bersatu for the next general election.

Analysts point out that since the two parties are eyeing voters and seats from a similar demographic, their alliance was destined to be vulnerable...