KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 -- Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) can remain partners in the federal government despite facing each other in state elections, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said.

In an interview with Singapore-based media organisation CNA, Loke acknowledged that campaigning against one another in Johor and Negeri Sembilan had inevitably strained relations between the two coalitions, but said both sides remained committed to preserving the federal government.

"It's a lie to say that there's no impact at all, but we have to keep it professional," he said.

PH and BN have governed together at the federal level since the 2022 general election, but continue to contest against each other in several state elections, c...