Umno's Ismail Lasim Sworn In as New Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar After BN Election Victory

Negri Sembilan's 16th state election is being held, with Pakatan Harapan predicting a majority win in the 36-seat assembly.

Voters in Negri Sembilan turned out on Saturday, August 1, for the state's 16th election, with all 401 polling centres closing at 6pm and counting of postal votes beginning at 5pm ahead of the general count. Earlier in the day, caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun was among the first prominent figures to cast his ballot at the Raja Melewar Teacher Education Institute polling centre in Seremban. Aminuddin, who also serves as Negri Sembilan's Pakatan Harapan chairman, had expressed confidence his coalition would surpass the 19-seat threshold needed for a majority in the 36-seat state assembly. Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had publicly expressed hope for a joint Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional victory. Following the election, veteran Umno politician Datuk Ismail Lasim, 67-year-old Juasseh assemblyman and Kuala Pilah Umno chief, was sworn in as the new Mentri Besar before Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Besar Seri Menanti, marking a change in government from Pakatan Harapan to Barisan Nasional. Tuanku Muhriz reminded the new Mentri Besar and all state assembly members to uphold loyalty and respect for the Royal Institution and to avoid abuse of power. Ismail Lasim subsequently declared Monday, August 3, a state public holiday.

Why it matters

The Negri Sembilan result will test whether Pakatan Harapan, which leads the federal government, can consolidate its position at the state level against a combined BN-PN opposition. The outcome could reshape political alignments in one of Malaysia's key peninsular states.

What's next

Results from the 36 state seats are expected to be announced following the close of polling on August 1.

Key facts

• The election is for Negri Sembilan's 36-seat state legislative assembly
• Pakatan Harapan needs at least 19 seats to secure a majority
• Caretaker Mentri Besar Aminuddin Harun voted at the Raja Melewar Teacher Education Institute polling centre in Seremban
• Voting took place on Saturday, August 1
• Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki expressed hope for a joint BN and Perikatan Nasional victory
• Former prime minister Najib Razak publicly urged voters to turn out at the ballot box

Bias & framing notes

All four sources are from a single outlet, The Star (Malaysia), limiting independent corroboration. The reporting largely reflects statements and activities of named political figures without independent verification of claims such as Aminuddin's seat projections. Coverage skews toward quoting leaders' confident predictions rather than presenting polling data or opposition rebuttals in depth.

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