The Negeri Sembilan state election will serve as the starting point for cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS as both parties seek to wrest control of the state government from Pakatan Harapan (PH).
UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the collaboration also represents the beginning of the long-awaited Muslim unity, expressing confidence that the partnership could strengthen the coalition’s chances in the election.
“Insya-Allah, we will do our very best to take back Negeri Sembilan.
“This is the moment we have been waiting for. Let us prove that this unity can shake our opponents. Let’s win,” he said in a social media post on Saturday.
His remarks came after BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election as a political understanding rather than a formal agreement or coalition.
Ahmad Zahid said the tactical arrangement is expected to improve BN’s chances of regaining control of the state, with BN contesting 25 state seats while PN is contesting the remaining 11.
Echoing the same sentiment, PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the understanding was aimed at maximising the combined strength of BN and PN to unseat PH, which currently administers Negeri Sembilan.
The 16th Negeri Sembilan state election is scheduled to be held on Aug 1 following nomination day on Saturday, with all 36 state seats up for contest.
In the 2023 Negeri Sembilan state election, PH secured 17 seats, BN won 14, while PN captured five seats.
