SEREMBAN: Perikatan Nasional, except Bersatu, will contest all 11 state seats left out of Barisan Nasional’s Negri Sembilan line-up.
PAS will contest five seats, followed by Parti Wawasan Negara, four, while Gerakan and Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) are contesting one seat each.
The seats are Klawang, Serting, Lobak, Sikamat, Ampangan, Bukit Kepayang, Mambau, Paroi, Lukut, Bagan Pinang and Gemas.
The announcement was made by Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar at an event in Ampangan last night.
“They will all represent Perikatan and they will start an important move here in Negri Sembilan where we will be part of the state government,” said Ahmad Samsuri.
Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa will defend Serting as the incumbent, Datuk Dr Mohd Rafie Ab Malek will contest Ampangan, PM Kumar in Lobak, Kamarol Rizuan Mohd Zain to defend Paroi, and Abdul Fatah Zakaria will defend Bagan Pinang.
Meanwhile, Danni Rais will contest in Klawang, former Melaka police chief Datuk Razali Abu Samah in Sikamat, Erik Michael in Mambau, Ridzuan Ahmad in Gemas, Lee Boon Shian in Bukit Kepayang and Sathes Kumar Nilameham in Lukut.
Wawasan president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said Perikatan’s decision to contest only 11 seats reflects the coalition’s agreement to a new political alignment.
He urged the people to trust the Perikatan leadership, adding that the coalition is not only fighting for the Malays, Chinese, Indians or others.
“We are fighting for Malaysia’s future. I am confident we can achieve victory,” he said.
MIPP president P. Punithan urged Perikatan candidates to respect their opponents and not retaliate with hatred.
“Show the rakyat we can practise clean and principled politics.”
Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau urged the coalition’s machinery not to be disheartened by the task ahead.
“Yes, the campaign will be tough but we have to go down to every residential home or village and meet the voters,” he said.
Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the party will help Perikatan candidates campaign despite not contesting at the polls.
“As the younger sibling in this family, we are firmly with Perikatan and will be assisting campaign efforts,” he said.
It is unclear how many seats Bersatu will contest in Negri Sembilan.
Bersatu will announce its candidates today.
