SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan is set for a high-stakes election as candidates file their nomination papers today for the Aug 1 polls.
The election, called less than three years after the last state polls, will see a fierce contest for control of the 36-seat state assembly, with Pakatan Harapan defending its administration against a resurgent Barisan Nasional.
In a strategic move to avoid multi-cornered fights, Barisan has forged electoral arrangements with former rivals from Perikatan Nasional: PAS, Gerakan, Parti Wawasan Negara and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP).
Under the arrangement, Barisan will contest 25 seats, PAS five, Wawasan four, while Gerakan and MIPP will field one candidate each.
Adding a new twist, Bersatu announced yesterday that it would field candidates in 24 seats under its own logo.
The party will contest all constituencies allocated to PAS and Wawasan, as well as most seats contested by Barisan.
The battle lines have narrowed as smaller parties scale back their ambitions. Muda and Pejuang have opted out entirely, while Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia and Berjasa will field only one candidate each.
Political observers believe the election is shaping up largely as a direct contest between Pakatan and the Barisan-led bloc, with smaller parties and independent candidates unlikely to significantly alter the outcome.
Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan dismissed suggestions that the election was a personal showdown with Pakatan.
“The people are upset with Pakatan over some issues and the polls have been called to return the mandate to the people so they can decide who should govern the state,” he said when contacted.
Mohamad said Barisan would spend the 14-day campaign highlighting the current situation, its plans for the state and persuading voters to give the coalition a fresh mandate.
Of Barisan’s 25 seats, Umno will contest 16, MCA seven and MIC two.
The state assembly was dissolved after 14 Umno assemblymen withdrew support for the caretaker Mentri Besar, accusing him of failing to manage the state’s royal crisis.
In the 2023 state election, Pakatan and Barisan contested as allies and won 31 of the 36 seats, with the remaining five going to Perikatan.
State Pakatan secretary Cha Kee Chin said the coalition’s target is to secure a third consecutive term in office.
“Our rivals can work with anyone as we are focused on achieving our target of winning 21 or 22 seats. We will present our track record and policies to voters and let them decide,” he said.
Cha, who is the Rasah MP, said Pakatan would campaign on the achievements of the administration led by Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun since 2018, while arguing that Johor’s recent election result would have little bearing on Negri Sembilan due to the different political dynamics in both states.
Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan Bersatu information chief Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus said the party is offering itself as an alternative to both Pakatan and Barisan.
“We believe voters would know who to vote for, especially after the turmoil that led to the dissolution of the state assembly under the Pakatan-Barisan unity government,” he said.
Mohd Nazree acknowledged Bersatu’s poor showing in Johor, where 10 of its 16 candidates lost their deposits, but insisted Negri Sembilan presented a different political landscape.
In the 2023 state election, Bersatu won the Labu and Gemas seats. However, Gemas incumbent Ridzuan Ahmad has since left the party and will defend the seat under the Wawasan banner.
