Salleh Said Keruak said the BN-PN understanding allows the stronger party in each constituency to take the lead.PETALING JAYA: The Negeri Sembilan state election could serve as a key test of whether Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional can strike an electoral understanding without forming a formal coalition, says Sabah Umno veteran Salleh Said Keruak.Salleh said the electoral pact would centre on avoiding unnecessary three- or multi-cornered contests, reducing vote splitting, and allowing the stronger party in each constituency to take the lead."This approach gives BN and PN flexibility. Both can maintain their own identities, leadership and policies while cooperating where their electoral interests overlap," said Salleh, a former Sabah chief minister.Salleh said cooperation with PN could potentially help BN consolidate the Malay vote, particularly in seats where the two coalitions compete for a similar voter base.However, the biggest uncertainty in any BN-PN arrangement is voter transferability, as an agreement between party leaders did not imply that supporters would follow suit."Success will depend on reducing vote splitting while ensuring that each party retains the confidence of its core supporters," he added.In the Negeri Sembilan election, BN is contesting 25 seats in the state assembly while PN is vying for the remaining 11. PH is going solo and contesting all 36 seats.BN and PH remain allies at the federal level while PN sits in the opposition.
Negeri Sembilan BN chairman Mohamad Hasan said the BN-PN cooperation was forged following BN’s defeat in several Malay-majority seats in previous elections due to clashes between Malay-based parties. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Negeri Sembilan Barisan Nasional chairman Mohamad Hasan has urged voters not to listen to rumours on social media aimed at frightening non-Malay voters in the state.Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said BN cannot control these rumours, nor can it respond to every allegation on social media.“There are many stories aimed at scaring non-Malays by claiming that Umno will merge with PAS, and that the country will therefore become a Taliban state,” he was quoted by Berita Harian as saying at an event in Rembau today.Mohamad said the current understanding between BN and Perikatan Nasional was only for the Negeri Sembilan state election. “We will take this step by step, look at the results, and repeat (the cooperation) in Melaka if the results are good,” he said.BN's electoral alliance with PAS was forged following losses in several Malay-majority seats at the 2023 election due to clashes between Malay-based parties.BN, which had been in power in Negeri Sembilan since independence, lost power in 2018, when Pakatan Harapan won 20 seats to BN's 16.
The two coalitions formed an electoral alliance for the 2023 election, with PH winning 17 seats, BN 14 and PN 5.Negeri Sembilan goes to the polls on Aug 1. BN is contesting 25 seats, while PN is contesting 11. They will face off against Pakatan Harapan in all 36 seats.
Summary from source