PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan has been on a solid economic footing in the past few years.
Its gross domestic product (GDP) grew 17.3% between 2020 and last year. In absolute terms, the GDP went up from RM46.3bil in 2020 to RM54.3bil in 2025.
The state’s revenue had also increased from RM413mil in 2017 to RM610mil last year.
During that same period, reserves saw a 43.3% boost from RM725.96mil to RM1.04bil.
Negri Sembilan also recorded lower unemployment. Its unemployment rate fell to 3.1% last year from 3.8% in 2020.
Under caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun tenure, state statutory bodies recorded stronger profits compared to previous terms.
This was evident in the higher profits reported by Yayasan Negeri Sembilan, Kolej Yayasan Negeri Sembilan and Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan in 2024.
Yayasan Negeri Sembilan's profit increased from RM2.52mil in 2018 to RM38.75mil in 2024.
As for Kolej Yayasan Negeri Sembilan, it turned a RM800,000 loss into a RM4.61mil profit, while Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan's profit rose from RM27,000 to RM14.66mil over the same period.
The improved financial performance has enabled the state government to expand welfare assistance, including incentives for first marriages, senior citizens, single mothers, students, higher education, affordable housing and B40 motorcycle licence applicants.
It has also provided targeted assistance for groups such as gravediggers.
Under Aminuddin’s administration, financial assistance for civil servants has steadily increased, from one month's salary in 2018 to one and a half months' salary in 2022 and 2023, two months' salary in 2024, and a record three months' salary last year.
The government also showed its commitment to uphold monarchy and customary institutions by increasing allowances for the ruling chiefs, Tok Adat, programmes meant to preserve and promote traditional customs as well as a special allocation to uphold the Adat Perpatih customary system.
Ilham Centre chief executive officer Hisommudin Bakar said Aminuddin’s performance in his second term as Mentri Besar can be seen as commendable, both in terms of governance and the administration of the state.
“He has maintained the image of a moderate leader, largely free from political controversy, while focusing on ensuring continuity in the state's administration,” he said.
In addition, he said Negri Sembilan had enjoyed political stability throughout his tenure.
"The state has not experienced prolonged political crises or major scandals that could undermine investor or public confidence."
From a governance perspective, he said that this record strengthened the argument that the incumbent state government had administered Negri Sembilan effectively.
Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi described Aminuddin’s performance as positive and stable, although not necessarily transformational.
“His strengths lie in his moderate and pragmatic leadership style, as well as a relatively stable administrative record, including efforts to attract investment and strengthen welfare programmes and state development,” he said.
However, he said the state government still needs to address issues that matter most to the public, such as flooding, traffic congestion, affordable housing, access to higher paying jobs, and the development gap between urban and rural areas.
According to him, Aminuddin and Pakatan Harapan are going into the state election with an advantage as the incumbent.
Aminuddin first became Mentri Besar in 2018. He contested and won the Port Dickson parliamentary seat in 2022.
