BN-PN performance in Negeri Sembilan to determine future alliance, says Zahid

 The BN chairman says the results will decide whether the 'electoral understanding' extends to the Melaka polls and GE16.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is optimistic that the coalition’s strong showing in the Johor state election can be replicated in Negeri Sembilan on Aug 1.

JEMPOL:

The performance of the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional cooperation in the Negeri Sembilan state election will shape the future of the alliance ahead of the Melaka state election and the 16th general election, says BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid said BN would assess the political dynamics in Negeri Sembilan first before deciding on any wider cooperation with PN.

“We’ll look at the performance in Negeri Sembilan first. Politics is very dynamic, so we’ll arrange the lineup needed for Melaka and the other states later, especially for GE16,” he told reporters after the Gema@KKDW 2026 programme at Felda Palong 8 today.

He was asked whether the BN-PN cooperation in Negeri Sembilan could become a model for GE16.

Zahid, who is also the Umno president, stressed that BN’s cooperation with PN was merely an electoral “understanding” to avoid clashing seats, and not a formal, binding agreement.

“We’ve learned from experience and from the geopolitics that took place in Johor, so we’re grateful that the leadership of the parties within PN understands what is happening geopolitically in Negeri Sembilan and, hopefully, this will be a new alignment that takes place here,” he said.

He was optimistic that BN’s strong showing in the Johor state election could be replicated in Negeri Sembilan, citing the state’s economic management under previous BN rule.

Negeri Sembilan goes to the polls on Aug 1, with Pakatan Harapan contesting all 36 seats.

BN and the PAS-led PN have reached an electoral understanding under which BN will contest 25 seats and PN 11. - FMT