SEREMBAN: Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional will go head-to-head in the state election, which is expected to see a record number of political parties taking part.
The election campaigning in Negri Sembilan is expected to be dominated by two major controversies – the dispute between the state Ruler and the Undang (ruling chiefs) and what is perceived to be a political “betrayal” by Umno.
Pakatan is set to bank on its strong eight-year economic performance despite the accusation by Umno that Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun was responsible for the feud between the Ruler and the Undang.
A local political observer said Pakatan may lose some Malay support due to the royal spat, but it may still secure enough votes to form the next state government.
“Some are accusing Aminuddin of having failed to resolve the issue that was taken to court.
“Many feel that since he was the MB, he should have resolved it before it became worse,” said the political pundit.
He said Umno would use the Negri royalty issue to advance its objectives of winning the state. The party has said the issue has ruined the state’s image.
He also said while Bersama, Pejuang, Berjasa and Wawasan are expected to enter the fray, Pakatan will still get the bulk of the votes.
He added that while Bersatu may be seen as the spoiler party, it will likely not cause a dent in the outcome of the election.
Some observers are predicting that DAP will most likely retain its 11 seats. That means PKR and Amanah will only need to get a minimum of eight of the remaining 25 seats they will be contesting.
Nurul Fatihah Osman, a voter, stated that Malay voters are likely to support Barisan and Umno for their decision to stay out of the royal controversy.
“The ruling chiefs, the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang and the state government are also locked in a legal dispute which is not showing any signs of being resolved soon.
“The 14 Umno assemblymen rightly withdrew their support for Aminuddin as the royal dispute is now being debated publicly,” said the manager.
However, a retired civil servant who wished to be known only as Abdul Rahim said Aminuddin’s government had a proven track record, pointing to a record RM19bil in investments last year compared to RM7.25bil in 2024.
“Civil servants were also rewarded with bonuses of up to three months the last time, which was also a record,” he said.
The people, he added, were pleased with the state government’s performance.
He said Umno’s decision to suddenly withdraw support for Aminuddin was also seen as an attempt to usurp power.
Businessman Alan Tay noted that the snap polls were called with two years still remaining in the current term following the August 2023 elections.
“Elections cost a lot of money, and I believe voters will punish Barisan for this decision,” he said.
J. Suresh Kumar believes Barisan is also expected to do well, as Umno gained many votes in the rural areas in the previous elections.
“With Perikatan no longer considered strong as it was in 2023, voters are surely going to pick Umno, as the party is seen as more capable of resolving the state royalty issue,” he added.
