This paper was first published by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute here, on 20 September 2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- On 1st August 2026, the Negeri Sembilan state election took place, two years before the state assembly’s full five-year term. The Malaysian state had been jointly governed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN).
- For the first time, the BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalitions negotiated seats to avoid clashes and campaigned jointly. The BN-PN coalition conclusively won the state election, winning 25 out of 36 state seats.
- With PH’s loss of Negeri Sembilan, it is left with only Selangor and Penang under its control. Its Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Aminuddin Harun failed to win a state seat, a loss that is significant, given that he is from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR, or the People’s Justice Party), the party of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
- Anthony Loke, Secretary-General of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), failed to defend his seat of 22 years in Chennah, further increasing pressure on the party.
- PH support amongst Malays decreased significantly in the Negeri Sembilan state election, despite the party’s narrative of good governance, administrative efficiency, and financial management.
*Tricia Yeoh is Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. She is also Director of the Asian Institute for Policy and Engagement (AIPE) and Associate Professor of Practice at the School of Politics, International Relations and Economics (SPIRE) at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM). The author wishes to thank Shahrul Shahabudin for research assistance, and Francis Hutchinson and Lee Hwok Aun for their valuable reviews.
ISEAS Perspective 2026/66, 15 September 2026
