July 24, 2026
SEREMBAN – The Negri Sembilan election campaign will move into a crucial phase this weekend, with major political coalitions set to deploy their top leaders and intensify voter outreach before polling day on Aug 1.
With early voting scheduled for July 28, this weekend is expected to be the last opportunity for national party leaders to campaign extensively in the state before parliamentary and ministerial duties resume on Monday.
Among the top guns to make their pitch for support from the electorate in the coming days are Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Parti Wawasan Negara leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said the campaign is entering a more intense stage, with parties expected to ramp up ceramah, walkabouts and door-to-door visits, particularly in marginal Malay-majority, Felda and semi-urban constituencies.
“For me, the war of words between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan will intensify this weekend.
“Barisan is confident after its landslide victory in Johor, while Pakatan is under pressure to defend Negri Sembilan and avoid another setback,” said the Universiti Malaya academic.
He said tensions were already evident after Anwar, who is also Prime Minister, reminded ministers and deputy ministers not to publicly attack their partners in the unity government during the election campaign.
“This suggests that both sides understand that increasingly aggressive campaign rhetoric could affect their relationship beyond Negri Sembilan.
“This weekend will test which coalition or party can best manage internal tensions, mobilise voters and build momentum ahead of polling day,” he said.
Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the upcoming weekend marks the campaign’s shift from rhetoric to full voter mobilisation.
“This weekend represents the beginning of the decisive phase of the campaign.
“It is the point where parties move beyond messaging to voter mobilisation and where the contest in several marginal seats may start revealing whether Negri Sembilan is heading towards continuity, change or a more fragmented electoral outcome,” he said.
With just days left before early voting begins, this weekend is expected to provide the clearest indication of which coalition has managed to convert campaign messaging into momentum on the ground.
The contest for the 36-seat state assembly has drawn 103 candidates, with 19 seats needed to form the state government.
Much of the attention this weekend is expected to centre on efforts to consolidate the Malay vote following recent calls for closer cooperation between the Malay-Muslim-based parties.
Hamzah recently floated the idea of a “Perikatan-Barisan” pact after PAS had directed its members to back Barisan candidates in selected seats, while Barisan supporters have also been encouraged to support Perikatan candidates elsewhere.
Whether such appeals translate into votes on the ground is expected to become clearer as national leaders fan out across the state over the next few days.
Anwar’s schedule in Port Dickson today includes a national patriotism programme at the Army Basic Training Centre (Pusasda) and Friday prayers at Masjid Qariah Kampung Sawah Sunggala.
He is also expected to attend a programme in Gemas on Monday.
Ahmad Zahid has a programme with the Orang Asli community in Chennah, Jelebu, today before heading to Simpang Durian for a visit to the voting district centre.
He will also unveil Barisan’s Negri Sembilan election manifesto tonight in Nilai.
Ahmad Samsuri is scheduled to visit all 11 constituencies contested by Perikatan today and tomorrow.
Muhyiddin Yassin is also expected to make an appearance in the state over the weekend as the party seeks to reinforce its decision to contest under its logo.