Kuala lumpur: Barisan Nasional (BN) tonight announced its lineup of 25 candidates for the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, featuring a mix of incumbents and new faces. Negeri Sembilan BN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan confirmed that he will defend the Rantau state seat, which he has represented since 2004.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad expressed gratitude to UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for trusting him to defend Rantau. The announcement was made during the launch of BN's election machinery and candidate announcement event at Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.
Mohamad, who is also BN deputy chairman, announced that Negeri Sembilan UMNO Liaison Committee chairman and Jelebu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias will defend the Pertang state seat, which he has held since 2013. Other incumbents being retained include Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli for Linggi and Datuk Mustapha Nagoor for Palong.
The candidate list distributed to the media showed that BN has yet to finalize its candidates for 11 state seats: Klawang, Serting, Lobak, Sikamat, Ampangan, Bukit Kepayang, Mambau, Paroi, Lukut, Bagan Pinang, and Gemas. Mohamad stated that BN will contest only 25 seats in the election, aiming to reach an electoral understanding with other parties.
"BN will contest only 25 seats because we intend to reach an understanding for the Negeri Sembilan state election. We will wait for the announcement from the other side tomorrow," Mohamad said.
Addressing the contest for the Linggi state seat, where BN candidate Mohd Faizal will face Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun of Pakatan Harapan, Mohamad acknowledged the significant responsibility to deliver victory for the coalition. He emphasized the need for diligent campaigning to secure a favorable result for BN.
Mohamad, also the UMNO deputy president and Rembau Member of Parliament, did not specify a target number of seats for BN to win but expressed confidence in public support enabling the coalition to form the next state government.
The following is the list of BN candidates for the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election:
N01 Chennah: Siow Kong Choon (MCA)
N02 Pertang: Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (UMNO)
N03 Sungai Lui: Mohd Razi Mohd Ali (UMNO)
N06 Palong: Datuk Mustapha Nagoor (UMNO)
N07 Jeram Padang: Datuk Mohd Zaidy Abdul Kadir (UMNO)
N08 Bahau: Chong Fui Ming (MCA)
N09 Lenggeng: Datuk Mohd Asna Amin (UMNO)
N10 Nilai: Lai Chien Kong (MCA)
N12 Temiang: Leaw Kok Chan (MCA)
N15 Juasseh: Datuk Ismail Lasim (UMNO)
N16 Seri Menanti: Muhammad Sufian Maradzi (UMNO)
N17 Senaling: Mohamad Qayyum Abdul Jalil (UMNO)
N18 Pilah: S Leza Md Yasin (UMNO)
N19 Johol: Datuk Saiful Yazan Sulaiman (UMNO)
N20 Labu: Siti Nurumairah Hasim (UMNO)
N22 Rahang: Yap Siok Moy (MCA)
N24 Seremban Jaya: R T Thinalan (MIC)
N26 Chembong: Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris (UMNO)
N27 Rantau: Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (UMNO)
N28 Kota: Suhaimi Aini (UMNO)
N29 Chuah: Pau Jeou Ching (MCA)
N32 Linggi: Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli (UMNO)
N33 Seri Tanjung: A Achutan (MIC)
N35 Gemencheh: Suhaimizan Mizar (UMNO)
N36 Repah: Koh Kim Swee (MCA)