Pakatan Harapan (PH) has fielded senior leaders and familiar faces for the upcoming Negeri Sembilan election in what analysts describe as a cautious strategy following the coalition’s disappointing performance in the Johor polls.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Mazlan Ali said PH has assembled its strongest possible lineup, choosing experienced candidates to maximise its chances in what he described as a crucial election.
He said the Aug 1 contest is especially significant following the emergence of a new electoral alignment between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
‘This is a matter of life and death for PH. It now faces a new political alignment between BN and PN, which poses a major threat to PH’s survival as the two-term incumbent Negeri Sembilan government.
‘The outcome of this election will also determine the alignment and direction of Malaysian politics heading into the 16th General Election,’ he said.
Akademi Nusantara fellow Azmi Hassan said PH appeared to have learned from the Johor election, where several prominent leaders, including DAP strategic director Liew Chin Tong and a number of multi-term assemblymen, were left out of the candidate list.
He said the coalition is now relying on incumbents, well-known figures and political veterans instead of introducing many new faces.
‘I think DAP, and PH as a whole, learned that using new and untested candidates was disastrous in Johor,’ he said, referring to DAP’s defeat in Perling after omitting Liew from its lineup.
Azmi noted that DAP is fielding only three new candidates in the Negeri Sembilan election.
Among PH’s 36 candidates are DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, who is seeking a sixth term as an assemblyman, and PKR vice-president and Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who is contesting for a fifth term.
The coalition is also fielding former Kapar MP G Manivannan while retaining several state executive councillors and experienced former assemblymen.
PH will contest all 36 seats on its own.
Under the BN-PN electoral understanding, BN will contest 25 seats while PAS-led PN will field candidates in the remaining 11.
Analysts split over Aminuddin’s Linggi gamble
Mazlan and Azmi offered contrasting views on Aminuddin’s decision to contest the Umno stronghold of Linggi instead of defending Sikamat, which he has represented since 2008.
Mazlan described the move as a calculated strategy to expand PH’s support while protecting its existing base.
He said Aminuddin’s record as a two-term menteri besar and his position as Port Dickson MP could strengthen PH’s chances in Linggi, which falls within the parliamentary constituency.
‘Sikamat is considered a safe seat for PH, and his move to Linggi is a strategy to improve the coalition’s chances of winning the constituency,’ he said.
Mazlan added that voters in Linggi are already familiar with Aminuddin as their MP, making it easier for him to campaign.
High-risk move signals PH’s confidence
Azmi, however, described the decision as highly risky, noting that Linggi has remained an Umno stronghold since 1959, except for a brief period when DAP held the seat between 1971 and 1974.
‘To depend on Aminuddin’s parliamentary support in Port Dickson, which Linggi is a part of, is very, very dangerous. I think it is a suicidal move,’ he said.
Nevertheless, Azmi said the decision also reflected PH’s confidence heading into the election.
‘The message PH is trying to send is that it is confident of forming the state government and that Aminuddin will be the menteri besar. He is undoubtedly the coalition’s poster boy, but it is a very dangerous move,’ he said.
