JELEBU: Barisan Nasional is confident it can secure enough seats to form the next Negri Sembilan government on its own, with the coalition’s Menteri Besar candidate to be decided in the near future, says Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.
The Umno chairman for Negri Sembilan said he was confident the coalition would win more than the 19 seats needed for a simple majority in the 36-seat state assembly, eliminating the need to rely on other parties to govern.
“I have full confidence that Barisan will be given the mandate by the people to form the government on its own. We expect to win more than 19 seats, which is the simple majority needed to form the state government,” he told reporters after nomination proceedings on Saturday (July 18).
Jalaluddin, who is defending the Pertang seat, said he was not only confident of retaining his constituency but also believed Barisan would dominate the majority of the 25 seats it is contesting.
He added that Barisan component parties MCA and MIC were also expected to make gains in several constituencies.
On the coalition’s Menteri Besar candidate, Jalaluddin said the decision would be announced soon by Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“It will be decided in the near future. I cannot announce the MB candidate because that is the prerogative of the Barisan chairman,” he said.
He said Barisan had no shortage of capable leaders to head the state administration if the coalition secured victory.
Asked about the possibility of a hung assembly and cooperation with other parties, Jalaluddin acknowledged that politics could produce different outcomes but maintained that Barisan’s focus was on governing independently.
“There are many possibilities in politics, but I have no second opinion on this. I am confident Barisan will form the government on its own without having to partner with other parties,” he said.
Jalaluddin also said Barisan would launch its election manifesto on July 24 in Linggi, with Ahmad Zahid expected to officiate.
He said the manifesto would build on Barisan’s previous pledges with improvements focused on development, education, public well-being, economic growth and measures to ease the cost of living, particularly for lower-income groups and small traders.
