Negeri Sembilan votes as Malaysia’s political allies lock horns again

This Week in Asia Politics

The state election comes on the back of a bruising loss for Anwar’s PH in Johor, in another test of the strength of his coalition government

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An aerial view of Port Dickson in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan state. Just shy of 890,000 voters are registered to cast their ballots in the state election on Saturday. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Photo: Photo: EPA

Voters in Malaysia ’s Negeri Sembilan headed to the polls on Saturday, the second election in the past month as political allies governing the country locked horns at state levels.
Candidates from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition are going head-to-head with those of federal partner Barisan Nasional (BN), which trounced its rival in last month’s Johor race .

Voter turnout is at 8.29 per cent as of 9am, according to the Election Commission.

Negeri Sembilan has traditionally been a stronghold for PH, which won 17 seats in 2023 while BN secured 14, allowing the two coalitions to form the state government with a combined 31-seat majority.

The opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) won the remaining five seats.

Nearly 890,000 voters are registered to cast their ballots at 401 polling centres statewide, with 36 state assembly members to be elected from a field of 103 candidates in tight three-way races.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan is seeking another term in Ranrau in the Negeri Sembilan state election. Photo: AFP
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan is seeking another term in Ranrau in the Negeri Sembilan state election. Photo: AFP