IN a striking display of coalition unity ahead of the 16th state election, DAP Secretary General Anthony Loke has formally declared caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun as the sole spearhead and leadership face for the state campaign.
The announcement was made during an extensive candidate declaration ceremony at Dataran Melang in Kuala Pilah, where Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled the complete roster of thirty-six contestants representing PKR, DAP, and Amanah.
The line-up features a deliberate mixture of fresh faces and seasoned political figures tasked with retaining the state administration.
Addressing thousands of supporters, DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke, who serves as the federal Transport Minister, made it clear that state-level hierarchy overrides federal status in this campaign. He explicitly positioned the state Pakatan Harapan chairman as the absolute head of the state machinery.
“In Negeri Sembilan our poster boy is clear, Loke said. There is only one candidate for Menteri Besar, and our only war general is Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.”
Loke further reinforced this deference by stating that although he serves as a minister at the Federal level, his boss in Negeri Sembilan is Tok Min.
He stated that he will support him as the candidate for menteri besar, while, commending the administration led by Aminuddin, noting that the state government has delivered an excellent track record since the coalition first assumed governance of Negeri Sembilan in 2018.
Amidst the political manoeuvring, Loke, in his capacity as the state DAP chairman, issued a stern reminder to coalition supporters to remain respectful of local institutions.
He urged campaigners to fully respect the traditional customary institutions and the royalty of Negeri Sembilan throughout the campaigning period.
He added a firm reassurance that DAP continuously upholds the principles of the Federal Constitution, the constitutional monarchy system, and the Rukun Negara.
The launch event drew a significant gathering of the coalition top brass, including Amanah President Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, election director Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shaari, and information chief Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadhil.
The full list of the 36 Pakatan Harapan candidates, announced by Anwar, selected to contest the state constituencies comprises the following entries:
Chennah is contested by Loke Siew Fook.
Pertang is contested by Mohd Umry Abdul Khois.
Sungai Lui is contested by Zainal Fikri Abd Kadir.
Klawang is contested by Datuk Bakri Sawir.
Serting is contested by Yaacob Mahmood.
Palong is contested by Muhammad Zahin Zainal Abidin.
Jeram Padang is contested by Manivanan Gown.
Bahau is contested by Teo Kok Seong.
Lenggeng is contested by Zarinna Abu Zarin.
Nilai is contested by J Arul Kumar.
Lobak is contested by Chew Seh Yong.
Temiang is contested by Ho Weng Wah.
Sikamat is contested by Nor Azman Mohamad.
Ampangan is contested by Datuk Muhammad Nazri Kassim.
Juasseh is contested by Mohd Aidil Abdullah.
Seri Menanti is contested by Mohd Kamarul Arifin Mohd Wafa.
Senaling is contested by Mohd Hanis Mohd Alimin.
Pilah is contested by Datuk Noorzunita Begum Mohd Ibrahim.
Johol is contested by Mohd Zailan Mohd Munawar.
Labu is contested by Ahmad Faez Abdul Razak.
Bukit Kepayang is contested by Nicol Tan Lee Koon.
Rahang is contested by Siau Meow Kong.
Mambau is contested by Lee Kai Yet.
Seremban Jaya is contested by S Mugunthan.
Paroi is contested by Ahmad Shahir Mohd Shah.
Chembong is contested by Danish Nazran Murad.
Rantau is contested by Dr Azizul Hakim Mahdi.
Kota is Muhammad Allif Ibrahim.
Chuah is Yew Boon Lye.
Lukut is Choo Ken Hwa.
Bagan Pinang is Nasir Raman.
Linggi is Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Sri Tanjung is Dr G Rajassekaran.
Gemas is Siti Aishah Seman Othman.
Gemencheh is Abd Latif A Tambi.
Repah is S Veerapan.
The electoral timeline has been formalised by the Election Commission, with the official nomination day set for this Saturday, followed by early voting on 28 July, and the final polling day scheduled for 1 August. - July 15, 2026
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