BARISAN Nasional (BN) enters the Negeri Sembilan state election with a stronger electoral position than it did in Johor, owing to its understanding with Perikatan Nasional (PN), which has reduced multi-cornered contests and created direct battles against Pakatan Harapan (PH), UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.
Speaking at the introduction of BN's Johol candidate and the launch of the coalition's election machinery, Khaled said the BN-PN understanding represented a significant advantage that was absent during the Johor state election.
"The advantage is the understanding between BN and PN. This is a strength that allows the contest, as seen today, to be between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN.
"It will mean that Malays who have sent a message to UMNO that they do not want UMDAP, when choosing between Datuk Saiful Yazan Sulaiman (BN Johol candidate) and PH, will look at who is in PH. Whether they like it or not, they will all vote for Datuk Saiful," he said.
In Johol, incumbent Datuk Saiful Yazan Sulaiman is facing a straight fight against PH candidate Mohd Zailan Mohd Munawar.
Khaled said the outcome of the recent Johor state election reflected growing Malay support for BN and expressed confidence that the momentum could be replicated in Negeri Sembilan, provided the party machinery successfully converted public sentiment into votes.
"The Malay wave towards BN is not something that will only happen in Johor. In reality, this reflects the feelings of Malays today who want to return their support to BN.
"Can this happen? Can it be proven? The BN machinery members must ensure that it becomes a reality.
"Malays have already developed an awareness to give their support, especially to BN," he said.
The Defence Minister also urged UMNO and BN supporters to reject Bersatu, expressing hope that all 24 Bersatu candidates contesting in Negeri Sembilan would lose their election deposits.
"Why? Because Bersatu was originally created to replace UMNO. Therefore, Negeri Sembilan must confirm the Johor result and ensure that Bersatu is completely defeated in Negeri Sembilan.
"So that by the time of the General Election (GE), they will not need to contest any parliamentary seats. It will make it easier for BN to have a one-on-one contest with whichever party.
"Like now, in the Negeri Sembilan state election, a one-on-one contest will make it easier and ensure that we regain control of our country," he said.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had earlier said the party was prepared to fulfil the people's mandate if it succeeded in forming the Negeri Sembilan government. Bersatu is contesting 24 of the state's 36 seats, surpassing the 19-seat threshold required to secure a simple majority.
Khaled described Bersatu's participation in the election as a disruptive factor that could divide Malay votes, stressing that BN must avoid narrow victories and aim for decisive wins in every constituency it contests.
"That is why we cannot have narrow victories in any seat. We want to ensure, and I believe Malays understand, that if they give BN a little and Bersatu a little... Bersatu is only causing disruption," he said. - July 20, 2026
