SEREMBAN: The battle lines for the upcoming Negri Sembilan state polls have been officially drawn, with Pakatan Harapan launching its campaign machinery ahead of the critical seven-week countdown to polling day.
Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the state under the leadership of caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has performed exceptionally well in the past eight years and Pakatan should be given the mandate to rule again.
"To be frank, I never wanted a snap election as we have a lot of work to do.
"However, we had to call for snap polls as we were left with no other option," he said at the launch on Friday (June 12) night.
Anwar said the people should reject those who were power hungry and elect only those who were prepared to work for the people.
Anwar said the people should also elect a state administration that was aligned with the Federal government.
"We want to solve the problems of the rakyat including hardcore poverty and help the lower income group such as farmers, fishermen and others.
"To be able to do this, we need stability, not make plans to destablise the government or attempt backdoor governments," he added.
PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who was also in attendance, said he was grateful that the distribution of seats among the Pakatan component parties has been settled.
"The only seat that was still being discussed was Sg Lui.
"I am glad to say that even that has been settled," he said.
The Negri Sembilan state legislative assembly was dissolved on June 5 triggered by a move by Barisan Nasional's 14 assemblymen to withdraw support for Aminuddin.
In the coming polls, PKR will contest 16 seats followed by 11 seats by DAP and nine seats by Amanah.
The last state polls were held on Aug 12, 2023.
Then, Pakatan and Barisan Nasional, which had joined hands under the unity government banner, won 31 out of the 36 seats while Perikatan Nasional bagged five.
Of the 17 won by Pakatan, DAP bagged 11, PKR (five) and Amanah (one). All of Barisan's seats were won by Umno.
Perikatan' seats were won by PAS (three) and Bersatu (two).
