04/08/2026

TUESDAY | AUG 4, 2026

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Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PAS keen on continuing BN-PN polls coooperation

PETALING JAYA: PAS has expressed readiness to expand the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional (BN PN) cooperation forged in the Negeri Sembilan state election to the impending Malacca polls and potentially the federal level, saying the alliance has proven its electoral value. PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the Negeri Sembilan election results demonstrate that cooperation between the two coalitions delivers positive outcomes and warrants further discussions on whether the model should be replicated elsewhere. “We saw that the cooperation in Negeri Sembilan produced very good results and achievements. “At the national level, we are prepared to hold negotiations and discussions, and decide whether to continue the cooperation based on what we have seen of the public mood. “If possible, it should not be limited to Negeri Sembilan. The Negeri Sembilan model should be brought to Malacca and, if possible, to

public prosecutor, ensuring equal constituency allocations for government and opposition lawmakers as well as implementing fairer electoral boundary reforms. Ong also questioned the appointment process for Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, saying it should have involved broader parliamentary consultation. He said fair electoral boundary reforms, expected to begin this year and conclude by 2028, could strengthen PH’s prospects in future elections. “Pushing for these reforms is the right thing for PH to do even if it ends up in the opposition post-GE16. The long-suffering PH supporters deserve as much.” a Selangor assemblyman which could lead to the seat being declared vacant. Amirudin said the speaker must first determine the status of the seat before referring the matter to the EC, which will then decide whether a by election should be called. He said the commission would also consider the relevant legal provisions, including whether the remaining term of the state legislative assembly warrants holding a by-election. Amirudin had previously said the matter was being reviewed with the state legal adviser to ensure that any action taken complied with existing laws. On a separate issue, Amirudin said the Selangor government would continue strengthening efforts to tackle the stray dog problem while balancing public safety with animal welfare. He said local authorities had been taking continuous enforcement action. Amirudin also dismissed claims that local councils only acted on stray animal issues after public pressure. – BY THESUN TEAM some had already prepared to contest. They had worked for five years but when the party issued its directive, I saw that the mood was very positive.” He said cooperation between the BN and PN campaign machineries during the election showed that both parties were capable of supporting one another despite fielding candidates from different parties. Tuan Ibrahim said no formal discussions on cooperation for the Malacca election had taken place as the state legislative assembly has yet to be dissolved. “For now, each party is carrying out its work, and the decision will depend on the dissolution of the Malacca state assembly.”

Orang voting overwhelmingly for the BN-MCA candidate.” Ong said PH’s support declined in 30 of the state’s 36 constituencies compared with the 2022 general election, indicating that the setback was more than just a transfer of votes between BN and PN. He said PH’s strategy of courting Malay voters through short-term political manoeuvres had failed. Ong urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the coalition’s leadership to instead prioritise reforms that formed PH’s founding agenda. He added these include introducing a 10-year limit on the prime minister’s tenure, separating the roles of the attorney-general and Asli voters PETALING JAYA: The fate of a disputed Selangor state seat is expected to be determined this week, with the Election Commission (EC) set to decide whether a by-election is necessary once the state assembly speaker makes an official ruling on the seat’s status. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government would not interfere in the process, stressing that the matter must proceed according to the law and the respective roles of the speaker and the EC. He said the state government is awaiting formal notification from the speaker while legal officers are preparing the necessary advice before the matter is referred to the relevant authorities. “We will abide by whatever decision the EC makes following the speaker’s announcement,” Amirudin reportedly said after attending the state civil servants’ assembly and the launching of the Jalur Gemilang campaign yesterday. The issue arose following allegations over the eligibility status of after the recent state election. For PAS, which had remained outside the Negeri Sembilan government since independence because of its limited electoral success in the state, the arrangement marked a significant political shift. Tuan Ibrahim said the biggest challenge was not reaching an agreement among party leaders but ensuring that grassroots members from both coalitions could work together on the ground. He said initial reservations among party members were overcome after party leaders issued clear directives, enabling both sides to coordinate their election campaigns effectively. “Initially, some felt slighted and were not entirely receptive because

o Negeri Sembilan election results show alliance can deliver positive outcomes, warrants further discussions on whether model should be replicated elsewhere, says party deputy chief

prepared to negotiate with any party interested in working together, although any agreement would depend on the respective strengths and interests of those involved. The prospect of continued BN-PN cooperation follows the alliance’s success in Negeri Sembilan, where the two coalitions secured enough seats to form the state government

the federal level as well.” His remarks come as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the Malacca state election, with BN signalling openness to broader cooperation under a “BN Plus” formula. Malacca BN chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said on Sunday that the coalition was

‘Status of disputed Selangor seat to be decided this week’

TOWARDS BETTER TIES ... Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, who is also Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister, arriving at the KL International Airport yesterday for a two-day official visit to Malaysia. – BERNAMAPIC

Call for PH to return to political, institutional reform agenda

He attributed the BN-PN victory largely to the consolidation of Malay votes that had previously been split between the two coalitions. “In a 57% Malay electorate state like Negeri Sembilan, where an estimated 80% of Malay voters supported BN or PN, this translates into an electoral advantage of slightly more than 7% for BN and PN candidates.” Ong estimated that PH secured only about 8% of the Malay vote although more than 90% of Chinese voters who turned out continued to back the coalition. He added that it was, however, insufficient to retain Chennah, which was won by MCA. “Chennah was effectively a 40% Chinese seat with the 60% Malay and

political and institutional reformation even if it is too late to fight against the BN-PN wave that is coming in GE16,” Ong said in his analysis of the election results. BN won 18 seats in Saturday’s election, including two secured by MCA, while PN captured seven seats, comprising four won by PAS and three by Wawasan. PH retained 11 seats, with DAP winning nine and PKR two. The result also saw senior PH leaders Anthony Loke and former menteri besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun lose their state seats in Chennah and Linggi, respectively. Ong said PH’s vote share fell to 39.7% from 44.4% in the 2022 general election while BN’s support rose to 35.2% from 22.2% recorded in the 2023 state election.

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: After its crushing defeat in the Negeri Sembilan state election Pakatan Harapan (PH) must return to the political and institutional reform agenda that propelled it to power instead of relying on short-term electoral strategies, said former Bangi MP Dr Ong Kian Ming. He said the coalition’s loss, which saw the Barisan Nasional (BN)- Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance secure a combined 25 of the state’s 36 seats, exposed the failure of PH’s efforts to regain Malay support and should serve as a wake-up call ahead of the 16th general election (GE16). “PH should go back to its roots of