High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Barisan Nasional (Malay for National Front; commonly abbreviated as BN) is a major political coalition in Malaysia. Formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance ('Perikatan'), it has been Malaysia's ruling political party since independence. The coalition's headquarters is located in the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Barisan Nasional holds several seats in every state in Malaysia, but was delivered a severe political blow in the aftermath of the 2008 general elections when it formed the majority in 8 out of 13 States, with the exceptions being Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak (though this is disputed) and Selangor, all of which fell to Pakatan Rakyat, a loose alliance of opposition parties. The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is also under opposition control, led by the Democratic Action Party.