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BARISAN Nasional (BN) has finalised 25 of its 36 candidates for the Negeri Sembilan state election, opting to retain the majority of its incumbent representatives while introducing three new UMNO candidates ahead of polling on Aug 1.
Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin was not included in the coalition's candidate line-up after previously stating that he was more comfortable serving as part of the party's campaign machinery rather than contesting the election.
He had however said he would abide by any decision made by the party leadership.
Khairy last contested the Rembau parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election, where he was defeated by Pakatan Harapan's Datuk R. Ramanan.
Of the 36 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats in Negeri Sembilan, BN is contesting 25, comprising 16 candidates from UMNO, seven from MCA and two from MIC.
BN Negeri Sembilan chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will defend his Rantau seat, while Negeri Sembilan UMNO chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias has been retained to contest the Pertang constituency.
Ten other incumbent UMNO assemblymen have also been selected to defend the seats they currently hold.
In the coalition's only major reshuffle involving an incumbent, Datuk Ismail Lasim has been moved from Senaling to contest the Juasseh seat following the decision not to renominate the incumbent assemblywoman, Datuk Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid.
BN has also introduced three new UMNO candidates for the election: Mohamad Qayyum Abd Jalil in Senaling, Siti Nur Umaira Hasim in Labu and S. Leza Md Yasin in Pilah. - July 16, 2026
