KUALA PILAH: Juasseh assemblyman Datuk Ismail Lasim is the leading candidate to be named the new Mentri Besar of Negri Sembilan.
The 67-year-old veteran Umno politician, who is also Kuala Pilah Umno chief, is expected to be sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Besar Seri Menanti here on Sunday (Aug 2) morning.
In the last state government, Ismail held the education and human capital portfolio.
Ismail served as Senaling assemblyman from 1999 to 2018 and again from 2023 to 2026.
From 2018 to 2023, he served as Juasseh assemblyman.
In Saturday's (Aug 1) election, he defeated Pakatan Harapan's Mohd Aidil Abdullah and Bersatu's Mohd Zuhaimi Md Yusof in a three-cornered fight.
Ismail secured 6,907 votes against 2,816 obtained by Mohd Aidil and 506 won by Mohd Zuhaimi.
Ismail holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Universiti Malaya.
On Saturday night, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said three names were presented to the state ruler for the post.
He said the ruler had absolute discretion in appointing the new Mentri Besar from the submitted list.
