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SEREMBAN - Barisan Nasional (BN) will contest 25 of the 36 seats in the Negeri Sembilan state election, a move that is expected to intensify speculation over possible electoral cooperation with PAS.
Of the 25 seats allocated to BN, Umno will contest 16 constituencies, while MCA and MIC have been assigned seven and two seats, respectively.
The announcement leaves 11 seats unaccounted for, fuelling questions over whether BN is making way for PAS in selected constituencies as both parties seek to challenge Pakatan Harapan's (PH) hold on the state.
The 11 seats are Klawang, Serting, Lobak, Sikamat, Ampangan, Bukit Kepayang, Mambau, Paroi, Lukut, Bagan Pinang and Gemas.
PAS is expected to shed more light on the matter when it unveils its list of candidates tomorrow night at KOMPAS in Kampung Ismail, Ampangan.
BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced the coalition's candidates during a ceremony attended by an estimated 10,000 supporters at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Paroi tonight.
Earlier, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, while launching the coalition's election machinery, hinted that an "important announcement" would be made by a political party tomorrow night, further fuelling speculation over possible cooperation arrangements.
Ahead of the unveiling, all candidates signed integrity pledges and took an oath of allegiance before BN leaders, a practice routinely observed by the coalition before elections.
Zahid said the seat allocation and candidate selection process were based on winnability assessments and other strategic considerations aimed at maximising BN's chances in the Aug 1 polls.
He expressed confidence that the lineup announced tonight would be capable of delivering a strong showing for the coalition.
Among the key candidates, Mohamad will defend his Rantau seat against PKR's Dr Azizul Hakim Mahdi, while Negeri Sembilan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias will seek another term in Pertang, where he faces PKR's Mohd Umry Abdul Khois.
One notable omission from BN's list was former health minister and ex-Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin. Khairy, who was expelled from Umno in 2023 following a fallout with the party leadership before returning to the party earlier this year, did not secure a nomination.
In the 2023 state election, PH and BN formed the state government after winning a combined 31 of the 36 seats. PH secured 17 seats while BN won 14, with Perikatan Nasional capturing the remaining five seats.
