03/06/2026

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 3, 2026

3 Johor assembly dissolution sparks talk on larger impacts

BN urged to ally with PH to counter PN in Malacca

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING of three-cornered contests in Malacca could ultimately benefit Perikatan Nasional (PN), making continued cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) the more pragmatic option ahead of the next state election. Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said BN in Malacca need not follow Johor’s strategy of fielding candidates in all state seats. “They should move forward through an electoral pact. This would be the wiser approach.” He said BN would find it difficult to defeat PH in several of its traditional strongholds, citing Bandar Hilir and Kota Laksamana as examples. “BN should focus on constituencies where it has greater potential to improve its performance, including Sungai Udang and Bemban, where PN won by fewer than 600 votes in the last state election.” On Sunday, PN deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition plans to contest all 28 seats in the next Malacca election. Tawfik said PN’s strategy is likely driven by its assessment that several current issues could work in its favour, including dissatisfaction among some Malay voters over Umno’s cooperation with PH as well as issues capable of influencing Malay-Muslim sentiment. “Although issues such as the Sultan of Selangor’s decree, pig farming and temple controversies did not occur in Malacca, Malay and Islamic sentiments will likely be raised during the campaign to attract Malay voters,” he said, adding that such issues remain important only to parties that rely on race and religion-based politics. However, he described PN’s move as premature, arguing that political realities in Malacca differ from those in other states. “PN is rushing into contesting all 28 seats. They need to realise that the government administering Malacca is from BN and there are BN leaders who are well liked and prominent.” Tawfik cited Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh and Duyong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem as among the leaders who enjoy strong public visibility. “If Umno and BN make some adjustments and promote a new face as their chief ministerial poster boy, such as Akmal or Helmy, the momentum in Malacca could favour BN.” On PH’s prospects, he said the coalition must recognise current political realities and the tendency of many Malay voters in the state to support Malay-based parties. He noted that with Malays accounting for almost 65% of registered voters in Malacca, PH should focus on defending the seats it currently holds while maintaining cooperation with BN. JAYA: The prospect

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Munawir had been stripped of his position as the 11th ruler of Negeri Sembilan with immediate effect. Aminuddin rejected the declaration as invalid, arguing that Mubarak, who read out the announcement, was no longer recognised as the Undang of Sungai Ujong. The political turmoil further deepened when 14 BN assemblymen announced that they were withdrawing support for Aminuddin’s administration. In the 2023 state election, PH with 17 seats and BN with 14 seats formed a Unity government in Negeri Sembilan, commanding a 31-seat majority in the 36-seat state assembly. – By Harith Kamal constraints political coalitions, particularly within the opposition. “BN wants an early election, especially looking at PH with DAP’s latest fiasco involving Marina Ibrahim, PKR facing internal tension and potentially the entry of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s Bersama party. “PN also has its own internal problems and it is going to be very difficult for them to be ready within the next 60 days. “BN, in terms of internal squabbling and internal problems, basically does not have this particular issue.” Despite the “unsurprising” decision in Johor, Azmi cautioned against over-interpreting its national implications, saying the state should not be seen as a national barometer. “Johor has been a very strong Umno base. I think they will gain a few extra seats at the expense of PN in this case. “However, we cannot say the strength of BN in Johor reflects nationally.” Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said BN’s early move is part of a strategic calculation to capitalise on turnout dynamics in a standalone state election. He said local voter composition could favour BN in a lower-turnout scenario, particularly without external voters, but added that traditional advantages are no longer decisive. “The advantages of machinery, finance and being the incumbent government do not guarantee absolute victory. “Politics today is flat politics. Anyone has a chance to win if they are smart in planning their strategy and actions.” He also said the election is expected to be highly fragmented, with multi-cornered fights likely across all constituencies. He said while BN remains structurally strong, electoral outcomes are increasingly shaped by voter behaviour rather than machinery alone. across

o Timing of move less about constitutional necessity and more about strategic positioning: Analysts

PETALING JAYA: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s decision to dissolve the state assembly early has triggered speculation on a broader political “domino effect” in Malaysia, with analysts questioning whether the move could reshape electoral timing strategies ahead of the 16th General Election. The southernmost state is expected to hold its election by end of July at the latest, setting up a high-stakes contest between Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), all of which have indicated plans to contest all 56 seats. Political observers say the timing of the dissolution is less about constitutional necessity and more about strategic positioning. “It signals political calculation on the incumbent (BN),” said

trigger wider political recalibration. “I think it is possible for other states to go for elections soon too. BN can say it is ready and challenge Negeri Sembilan, with (PH deputy chairman) Anthony Loke saying PH is ready too. So, will PH bite? “Malacca is stable and there is no rumbling for an early election. But if Johor goes first (when it should come after Malacca and Sarawak), then there might be a push for Malacca as well. So now it is really a chicken game of who will give in.” Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the timing reflects confidence and internal

International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst and Iseas–Yusof Ishak Institute fellow Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Syukri. “There is no real reason for Johor to call for early elections as the state is relatively more stable,” she noted. She said the move reflects confidence within BN and could set the tone for other elections, including potential pressure on federal timing. “It is pushing (Prime Minister and PH president) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim into a difficult spot because if BN does well it would probably pressure for an earlier general election.” She also said the decision could

Onn Hafiz (centre) announcing the dissolution of the Johor state legislative assembly at a special press conference in Saujana, Johor Bahru on Monday. – BERNAMAPIC

Negeri Sembilan faces possible snap election PETALING JAYA: With Johor heading to the polls following the dissolution of its state

Aminuddin previously refused to rule out the possibility of an early state election, saying the timing would depend on political developments. “We will see how things develop. The general election is also approaching, but I do not rule out the possibility of a state election this year, or perhaps next year.” The political crisis in Negeri Sembilan escalated in April after Aminuddin said the Negeri Sembilan Council of Justice and the four Undang had convened a special sitting and decided to advise Luak Sungai Ujong to remove Datuk Mubarak Dohak as its Undang. The four Undang subsequently declared that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku has

respond in kind to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) decision to go solo in Johor by contesting all 36 state seats in Negeri Sembilan, while also fielding candidates in all 56 Johor seats. His remarks underscored the increasingly uneasy relationship between PH and BN, despite both coalitions remaining partners in the federal Unity government. However, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin yesterday pushed back against suggestions that Negeri Sembilan could simply follow Johor’s lead, stressing that the state’s unique constitutional framework requires the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the four Undang before any dissolution can take place.

scheduled to have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir today, a development that will be closely watched for clues on the state’s electoral direction. The developments follow Johor’s dissolution and have revived scrutiny of remarks by PH deputy chairman Anthony Loke, who last month publicly linked Negeri Sembilan’s political future to Johor’s. “If the Johor state assembly is dissolved tomorrow, we will also dissolve the Negeri Sembilan state assembly tomorrow,“ the DAP secretary-general and Chennah assemblyman said at the PH Convention in Johor. Loke has argued that PH should

assembly on Monday, attention has shifted to Negeri Sembilan, where political developments could determine whether Malaysia is headed for a second state election in quick succession. Speculation intensified yesterday after media reports said several Pakatan Harapan (PH) assemblymen and party leaders were seen arriving at the menteri besar ’s official residence, fuelling talk that discussions are underway on a possible dissolution of the Negeri Sembilan legislative assembly. Adding to the intrigue, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun is