Anwar’s Coalition Loses Negeri Sembilan With 11 of 36 Seats on August 1

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition suffered a major setback on August 1, losing control of Negeri Sembilan state after two terms in power. PH won only 11 of 36 assembly seats, down from 17 in the 2023 election, while the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional alliance secured 25 seats and a two-thirds supermajority. The loss marks PH’s third consecutive state election defeat and threatens to weaken Anwar’s political position before the general election due by early 2028.

How the seats shifted in Negeri Sembilan

Barisan Nasional won 18 seats while its ally Perikatan Nasional won seven, combining for 25 of 36 assembly seats. This compares to the 2023 election when PH held 17 seats and BN held 14. Voter turnout reached approximately 73%. BN president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said at a press conference on August 1 that the alliance had secured a two-thirds majority and would hold further discussions on the next course of action.

Two heavyweight ministers defeated

Malaysia’s Transport Minister and DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke lost his seat in Chennah by 688 votes to MCA’s Siew Kong Chun. State Chief Minister Aminuddin Harun, who held the position for two years, lost by 2,976 votes to BN’s Faizal Ramli in Linggi. Loke said he was considering relinquishing his role as DAP state chairman following the defeat.

Third consecutive state election loss for Anwar

PH’s defeat in Negeri Sembilan follows major losses in Johor in July and Sabah in November 2025. The results signal voter dissatisfaction with PH’s state administration, according to analysts. Negeri Sembilan, located 60 km south of Kuala Lumpur, is rapidly developing as a secondary data center hub and home to a growing semiconductor industry.

What this means for the 2028 general election

Analysts question whether the federal unity government would be politically advantageous for BN as PH’s ability to hold its ground weakens. PH and BN are set to compete in neighbouring Melaka in the coming months, likely the last chance for Anwar’s coalition to boost morale before the general election due by early 2028. BN’s wins in Johor and Negeri Sembilan could signal momentum for a potential BN-PN Malay-Muslim alliance at the 16th General Election.

Final Thoughts

Anwar’s third consecutive state election loss raises fresh doubts about his political strength and ability to extend his rule. The BN-PN alliance’s growing momentum could reshape Malaysia’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 general election.

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