PAS Negeri Sembilan Eyes Mixed Seats in State Elections
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- PAS Negeri Sembilan is exploring opportunities to contest mixed-race seats in the upcoming state elections, beyond their traditional Malay-majority constituencies.
- The party's strategy depends on seat-sharing negotiations within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, with a focus on areas having at least 40% Malay voters.
- Candidates for these mixed seats might come from DHPP, PAS's wing for non-Malay supporters, as the party aims to defend its three existing seats and potentially gain more.
PAS Negeri Sembilan is strategically eyeing several mixed-race constituencies for the upcoming state elections, signaling a potential expansion beyond its core Malay-majority areas. The party's state commissioner, Mohd. Fairuz Mohd. Isa, indicated that this ambition hinges on ongoing seat-sharing discussions within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
While PAS remains committed to contesting seats with a significant Malay electorate, Fairuz acknowledged the party's interest in mixed seats, particularly those where Malay voters constitute 40% or more. He suggested that if the coalition's seat allocation doesn't provide enough Malay-majority seats, PAS might contest more diverse constituencies, potentially targeting areas currently held by Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Fairuz also hinted that candidates for these mixed seats could be drawn from the Dewan Himpunan Penyokong Pas (DHPP), the wing dedicated to non-Malay supporters. This approach could allow PAS to broaden its appeal and representation.
Regarding candidate selection, PAS Negeri Sembilan has reportedly completed 80-90% of its process, with the final list to be submitted to the central leadership. The party aims to defend its three incumbent state seats โ Serting, Paroi, and Bagan Pinang โ and is looking to add more. Fairuz emphasized the importance of integrity and a suitable age range, favoring candidates under 60 years old.
Finally, Fairuz urged all PAS machinery and grassroots members to accept the party leadership's decisions regarding candidate nominations and seat allocations with an open mind as the state elections approach.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.