Good morning. Here's what you should know today.
Key Highlights
‘Malay unity’ wave smashes Harapan
DAP rallies behind defeated Loke
BN signals status quo for N Sembilan royalty
‘Malay unity’ wave smashes Harapan
BN and Perikatan Nasional’s new alliance smashed Pakatan Harapan in the Negeri Sembilan election, bagging a two-thirds majority in the state legislature with 25 seats.
The wave also defeated DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and previous menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.
Harapan was left with 11 seats, of which nine were won by DAP and two by PKR.
Notably, Harapan’s wins were all in seats where non-Malays made up more than 50 percent of voters, and none of their assemblypersons now are Malay.
The results also indicate that BN and PN supporters from the 15th general election will vote the same way in current elections, with a near-perfect vote transferability between the two if they continue working together.
In short, this wave will be disastrous for Harapan, with more defeats to come.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
DAP rallies behind defeated Loke
Loke is offering to resign as Negeri Sembilan DAP chief after he lost Chennah, a seat he has held since 2013.
However, party leaders are rallying behind him, saying he is still needed.
“At this difficult juncture, we stand together with comrade Loke. We will remain true to our founding aspirations, stand united through thick and thin, and press forward with determination,” said Nga Kor Ming, a key ally of Loke in the party’s national leadership.
The defeat in Negeri Sembilan, however, will likely weigh heavily on DAP delegates when they meet on Aug 16 to decide whether or not the party should hold on to its government positions.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
BN signals status quo for N Sembilan royalty
BN appears to have signalled that it will back Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Negeri Sembilan ruler amid continued uncertainty over the status of the state monarchy.
After being summoned by the ruler following BN’s victory in the state polls, coalition chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi heaped praise on Tuanku Muhriz and pledged that the coalition will defend Negeri Sembilan’s royal institution.
BN’s backing, as well as the Negeri Sembilan Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs’ (Dewan Keadilan dan Undang) move to reaffirm Tuanku Muhriz’s position as ruler and sack two rebel chieftains, will likely snuff out a competing claim to the throne by his cousin, Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar.
Meanwhile, in a turn of events, BN’s poster boy for the Negeri Sembilan polls and frontrunner for the menteri besar job, Jalaluddin Alias, was not picked for the office.
Instead, seven-time Umno assemblyperson Ismail Lasim became menteri besar.
Tuanku Muhriz is believed to have previously blocked an attempt by Jalaluddin to form a new state government with PN after the latter withdrew support from the state-level Madani coalition.
HIGHLIGHTS
 | |
 | |
 |
Views that matter
 | By Rajiv Rishyakaran |
 | By Ranjit Singh Malhi |
 | By Zan Azlee |
In case you missed it
 | |
 | |
 |
