Race and politics The Malaysian Nationalist Party or Malay: Parti Nasionalis Malaysia (PNM or NASMA) was a multi racial grouping launched in July 1985 under the banner "Malaysians for Malaysia, for justice, intergrity and progress".

Envisioned by its founders as a forum for nonsectarian critics of the Mahathir Mohamad regime as a challenge to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the party's main accomplishment by late 1985 was weakening Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) expansion effort.

However, on 9 December 1985, the protem president, Hajah Zainab Yang were replaced by Raja Datuk Nasron Ishak.

On 2 February 1986, inaugural delegates conferences were called upon by five founding members.

8 founders resigned on the conferences, including Hajah Zainab Yang.