SNAPSHOT | BN to contest all 36 seats in N Sembilan; RM50m boost for TVET 2.0 programme

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

2pm

Negeri Sembilan election

• BN will contest all 36 state seats in the Negri Sembilan state election, said state chairperson Jalaluddin Alias.

  New Straits Times reported Jalaluddin (above) as saying that BN’s list of candidates will be submitted to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for review.

  He said the candidates comprise both new and experienced faces, including young people and women from diverse educational backgrounds.

  "BN seat allocations will also involve component parties MCA and MIC," he added.

  "However, the final allocation will be decided in a meeting soon," he reportedly said when met at a wedding reception at Masjid Datuk Undang Luak Jelebu today.

• BN is still leaving room for negotiations with its coalition partners over seat allocations for the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election.

  According to Astro Awani, Zahid, when met by reporters in Putrajaya, said that despite Harapan’s announcement that it would contest all 36 state seats, BN was not closing the door to discussions.

  “Negeri Sembilan's (caretaker) menteri besar (Aminuddin Harun) has announced that they will contest all 36 state seats, but BN is still keeping the door open and is not shutting it tightly,” he reportedly said.

  

  Aminuddin, who is also Negeri Sembilan Harapan chairperson, previously said that seat negotiations among the coalition’s three parties - PKR, DAP and Amanah - had been finalised to contest all 36 seats.

• Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar has dismissed BN’s call for negotiations in Negeri Sembilan ahead of the state election, describing it as a belated attempt at political damage control.

  In a statement today, Mahfuz took a swipe at Zahid’s remarks that there was still room for negotiations in the state.

  "The people of Negeri Sembilan are not blind. Before the dissolution of the state assembly was announced, where were the voices calling for negotiations and the spirit of the unity government?" he asked.

  Mahfuz also reminded BN that the push for a fresh mandate had initially come from BN deputy chairperson Mohamad Hasan, who had argued that the political crisis should be resolved through the ballot box.

  "Now that Harapan has accepted that challenge by dissolving the assembly, why does BN appear nervous and try to apply the political brakes?" he questioned.

Talent development

• The government has agreed to allow the use of up to RM50 million from the High-Impact Programme fund under the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) to strengthen the implementation of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) 2.0, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

  Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the use of the fund is subject to conditions, namely that employers and industry players must work closely with the government to ensure the success of the TVET 2.0 agenda.

  

  “There are conditions. Employers and industry must cooperate with the government, particularly through the TVET Council, to ensure success and proper coordination.

  “This will also enhance training programmes and exposure opportunities,” he said, according to Bernama, when officiating the National TVET Day 2026 celebration in Putrajaya today.

  Under the Budget 2026 framework, the total allocation for PTPK has been set at RM650 million.

• Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has welcomed Johor Caretaker Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi's premium wage initiative, describing it as a timely effort to retain local talent through higher starting salaries and better career opportunities.

  Charles said the policy, which targets a RM4,000 starting salary for fresh graduates, comes as many young Malaysians seek work elsewhere, including in Singapore.

  "At a time when many young Malaysians are leaving for better opportunities elsewhere, we welcome efforts that focus on better wages and stronger career pathways at home," he said.

  

  He also urged other states to emulate the programme, saying the initiative "should not remain a Johor policy" but become "a model for other states seeking to retain talent and build a more competitive workforce".

  In a series of postings on X, Charles also tagged Anwar and Human Resources Minister R Ramanan.

Enforcement

• The Perak branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry seized diesel and a tanker lorry worth RM202,211.20 during a raid on a fishing jetty in Hutan Melintang early yesterday.

  According to Bernama, Perak director Kamalludin Ismail said the 3am operation followed a week-long surveillance of suspicious tanker lorry movements in the area.

  The operation led to the detection of a tanker lorry believed to be transporting 21,840 litres of diesel from the Klang Valley.

  “Investigations revealed discrepancies in the information provided and a suspicious supply chain.

  “Two local men, aged 60 and 30, identified as the site owner and the lorry driver, were detained to assist in the investigation,” he said, adding the case is being investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961 and the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.

Previously at 11am | Contempt bid over proclamation of new 'ruler'; CM: Malacca to hold polls after Johor, N Sembilan

SNAPSHOT | Contempt bid over proclamation of new 'ruler'; CM: Malacca to hold polls after Johor, N Sembilan

Anwar backs N Sembilan polls, says federal govt recognises Tuanku Muhriz as rightful ruler

N Sembilan chieftains object to state assembly dissolution, warn of legal implications

Tunku Nadzaruddin proclaimed as N Sembilan ruler, doubts raised on state assembly's dissolution

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