BARISAN Nasional (BN) is considering a major shake-up to its traditional seat allocations in Negeri Sembilan ahead of the Aug 1 state election, signalling a willingness to abandon long-standing arrangements in favour of a strategy better suited to today’s electoral landscape.
BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the coalition can no longer rely on historical seat ownership, arguing that changing voter demographics require a more pragmatic approach if it hopes to regain control of the Negeri Sembilan state assembly.
“We are proposing adjustments so that we no longer base our decisions solely on traditional seats because the composition of voters has changed significantly,” he told reporters after officiating the 2026 Rembau Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri delegates’ meeting today.
Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president and Negeri Sembilan BN chairman, said the coalition is open to allowing its component parties to contest constituencies where they have stronger grassroots support and a better chance of winning.
“We want to give our component parties opportunities to contest in seats where we believe they can succeed.”
“It’s time to review the old formula and allow voters to choose the party they prefer,” he said.
The former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar said BN’s performance in previous elections would serve as a key benchmark in determining seat allocations.
“If the results have continued to deteriorate, why should we keep giving the same party the same seat? There could be swaps.”
“We are looking at making as many changes as possible among our component parties,” he said.
Mohamad acknowledged that several constituencies currently regarded as belonging to one BN party may, in reality, be more favourable to another due to shifts in local support.
However, he stressed that any proposed changes would require the approval of BN’s top leadership, with the coalition’s Supreme Council holding the final say on seat distribution.
“The views from Negeri Sembilan BN will be brought to the national leadership for discussion. Ultimately, the decision rests with the BN Supreme Council,” he said.
On candidate selection, Mohamad said no final decisions have been made, adding that Umno division chiefs have been instructed to submit their proposed candidates through formal divisional committee meetings rather than personal recommendations.
He said the process is intended to ensure transparency and minimise disputes once the candidate list is finalised.
Mohamad also warned party members against internal sabotage, describing it as one of the key reasons BN had previously lost seats despite facing opponents that were not necessarily stronger.
“Many of the seats we lost were because of internal sabotage. Sometimes the opposition isn’t stronger, but people within our own party work against the candidate simply because their preferred choice wasn’t selected. That mentality has to stop,” he said.
Mohamad did not rule out defending the Rantau seat, which he has held since 2004, but said the decision would ultimately be made by the party leadership.
He added that BN is expected to unveil its slate of candidates before July 15, when the coalition officially launches its election machinery.
The Election Commission has fixed July 18 for nomination day, July 28 for early voting and Aug 1 for polling. – July 5, 2026
