Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has entered the campaign trail for the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election to strengthen the momentum of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and support the coalition’s efforts to retain the state government led by Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. According to Malaymail, Anwar, who is also the PKR president, scheduled a series of engagements on July 22 in the areas of Senawang, Sikamat, Paroi, and Ampangan, including a PH mega ‘ceramah’ and a youth-focused ‘Jelajah Rakan Muda’ program.
Support for Menteri Besar Amid Political Crisis
The Prime Minister’s push for support comes after a period of political instability in the state. On a Monday, 14 assemblymen from Barisan Nasional (BN) unanimously announced they had withdrawn support for Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, citing a loss of confidence in his handling of a crisis involving four chieftains seeking to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. This move followed a crisis concerning the state constitution and customary institutions.
Anwar Ibrahim stated via social media that he met with Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir to discuss the state administration and the royal institution. During this meeting, Anwar expressed his support for the royal decree that Aminuddin Harun continue his duties as Menteri Besar to ensure administrative stability and protect the interests of the people.
Campaign Focus and Manifesto
PH is contesting all 36 state seats in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, fielding 16 candidates from PKR, 11 from DAP, and nine from Amanah. The coalition’s campaign is centered on a manifesto launched on Monday, which contains 10 key commitments intended to make the state more inclusive and developed.
Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has urged all parties to avoid campaigns based on racial or religious sentiments. Speaking to Astro AWANI, Aminuddin stated that the focus should remain on policy and achievement records. He alleged that opponents from Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional (PN) have continued to use racial narratives and target the DAP as campaign capital. Aminuddin specifically referenced a police report involving a viral old caricature allegedly insulting the Sultan of Selangor, asserting that such issues should not be used as political tools.
Warnings Against Slander and Misinformation
During a Semarak Kenegaraan program at the Army Basic Training Centre (Pusasda) on Friday, July 24, Anwar Ibrahim urged all parties to stop spreading false information for political gain. The Prime Minister noted that he had been a target of such claims, citing a specific message alleging he had convened a meeting to spread propaganda among military veterans and serving personnel.
According to The Edge Malaysia, Anwar described himself as not perfect and apologized for any past mistakes, but requested that he not be slandered. He also called upon the civil service to support the government in implementing policy changes and the reform agenda while maintaining national stability.
Electoral Timeline and Voter Sentiment
The Election Commission has scheduled the following dates for the state election:
- Early Voting: July 28
- Polling Day: August 1
Public reaction to the political instability has been mixed. Some voters expressed opposition to changing the government mid-term, arguing that the mandate from the 2023 state election—where PH won 17 seats and BN won 14—should be respected. Others expressed concern that constant political turmoil could discourage younger generations from voting, while some citizens noted that changing leadership would be meaningless if the rising cost of living remains unresolved.
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