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JUASSEH assemblyman Datuk Ismail Lasim has officially been sworn in as the 12th Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan following Barisan Nasional's (BN) victory in the 16th state election and the formation of a new state government with Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The Juasseh State Legislative Assembly member took the oath of office and allegiance before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, during the appointment and swearing-in ceremony held at the Balairung Seri, Istana Besar Seri Menanti.
Also in attendance were the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud; the Tunku Besar of Seri Menanti, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz; and the Tunku Panglima Besar, Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin Tuanku Muhriz.
The ceremony was attended by Undang Luak Sungai Ujong Datuk Klana Petra Muhammad Faris Johari, Undang Luak Rembau Datuk Sedia Raja Hassan Ab Hamid, Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, state executive leaders and members of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly.
The 67-year-old Kuala Pilah UMNO division chief and UMNO Supreme Council member was appointed after BN submitted three names to Tuanku Muhriz for consideration.
Ismail secured the Juasseh seat with a majority of 4,323 votes, defeating Bersatu candidate Mohd Zuhaimi Md Yusof and Pakatan Harapan's Mohd Aidil Abdullah.
The other nominees submitted by BN for the Menteri Besar post were Negeri Sembilan UMNO chairman and Jelebu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, who retained the Pertang seat, and former Negeri Sembilan Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Asna Amin, who successfully defended the Lenggeng seat.
Earlier, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier presented the three names to Tuanku Muhriz during an audience at Istana Hinggap following the coalition's election victory, leaving the final decision entirely to the Ruler's discretion.
BN won 18 of the 36 seats in the State Legislative Assembly, while Perikatan Nasional secured 11 seats, giving the two coalitions a combined two-thirds majority to form the new state government.
A total of 103 candidates contested the 36 state seats in the election, which was called after the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly was dissolved on June 5 following BN's withdrawal of support for the administration of former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun on April 27. - August 2, 2026
