Racial politics caused PH's defeat – Amirudin

Racial politics were the primary reason for Pakatan Harapan's (PH) defeat in the Negeri Sembilan state election, according to Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari, the coalition's Election Director.

Shari expressed deep disappointment that identity politics continued to influence voters, preventing the promotion of value-based politics during the campaign period. He stated that identity politics had dominated the Malay electorate, leading to a counter-campaign that exploited racial divisions within the state and the nation. "We are concerned that this will create anxiety and suspicion between Malays and non-Malays," he said.

The director lamented that the focus on social rhetoric overshadowed the core issues of the cost of living, which PH had intended to champion for Negeri Sembilan. He believes that value-based politics failed to gain the necessary traction because divisive social narratives became the dominant campaign theme.

While PH secured only 11 out of the 36 seats they contested, Shari noted that the defeat was not overwhelming, with narrow margins of 700 to 1,000 votes in many races, including the one contested by PH Negeri Sembilan Chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. The outcome suggests a deeply fractured electorate, where racial appeals proved more potent than policy-focused campaigning.