29-6-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Voters in Negeri Sembilan are bracing themselves for an intriguing state election as the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalitions seek to strengthen an uneasy alliance that could be tested during the campaign.
The state, located in western Peninsular Malaysia, has long been a political battleground between the two sides. At the 15th General Election in November, PH won three parliamentary seats in Negeri Sembilan while BN took the remaining five. With no seats going to Perikatan Nasional (PN), the upcoming state polls will see PH and BN come together in a pact to maintain control.
For voters like Ikmal Syafiq, 42, the cooperation will take some getting used to. “I think it feels especially weird for Negeri Sembilan because PH and BN have been enemies for so long here. The rivalry is strong,” said the Rembau business owner. “The two are also ideologically very different. It will be interesting to see how they work together.”
While most expect the alliance to retain power, the campaign is seen as a test of their ability to collaborate. Seat negotiations have already caused tensions, with BN asking PH to concede two seats it currently holds so both can contest 18 each in the 36-seat assembly. PH wants to defend seats won in 2018, but leaders say any decision will be made nationally.
Speculation also surrounds the chief minister candidate, with incumbent Aminuddin Harun hoping to continue but some in BN preferring coalition chief Jalaluddin Alias. “Whichever party wins the most seats should have the prerogative to appoint the chief minister. That’s only fair,” said Zaifulbahri Idris, a three-term BN assemblyman. However, analysts believe PH is more likely to take the role given it should win more seats.
PN sees an opening to make gains, especially in Malay-majority seats. Ahmad Faizal Azumu, its Negeri Sembilan chairman, believes there is a 50-50 chance in each and widespread unhappiness with BN and DAP’s alliance could help. But others dismiss its majority claims as unrealistic. “To say they will win 19 seats or more, to me it’s not realistic. I do not deny they will win some seats, but nowhere near enough required,” said Zaifulbahri.
Kumar Arul, DAP’s assemblyman for Nilai, said PH and BN uniting fully would mean retaining all seats. But he acknowledged challenges, with PN possibly making inroads in Lenggeng and Bagan Penang. “If PH and BN work together, we can retain the accolade of being the only state in Malaysia without a single PN representative,” he added. “But this does not mean we can be comfortable and relaxed. We know that there are challenges to working together, and if we can overcome them, we can achieve this target.”
With much at stake, voters are set for an election that will provide some answers on the strength of an alliance still finding its feet. The outcome may well shape the dynamics of not just Negeri Sembilan’s political landscape, but also that of the nation.
