KOTA KINABALU: Former UMNO treasurer Datuk Seri Dr. Salleh Said Keruak has suggested that Barisan Nasional (BN) could replicate its sweeping victory in Johor during the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election.
However, he emphasised that a different approach would be necessary, given the distinct political environment in Negeri Sembilan.
“The crucial question is whether the ‘blue wave’ seen in Johor can happen again in Negeri Sembilan. The answer is yes — but the conditions are not the same, and strategy must reflect that,” he wrote in a recent Facebook post.
Salleh pointed out that in Johor, BN was defending an existing state government, while in Negeri Sembilan, Pakatan Harapan holds power. Factors such as local concerns, public sentiment, and the selection of a chief minister candidate will play a significant role in shaping the election outcome.
“If the goal is to form the next state administration, seat negotiations must prioritize winnability,” he said.
“Under Malaysia’s first-past-the-post system, contests with multiple candidates split votes and weaken the coalition’s overall chances.”
He stressed that seat distribution should consider each party’s track record in specific constituencies, campaign effectiveness, candidate strength, and contributions to the alliance.
“Victory should be judged not by how many seats a party contests, but by how many it wins,” he added.
Salleh noted that BN’s strong performance in Johor has boosted its standing in any coalition discussions.
“If this momentum carries into Negeri Sembilan, it would make sense for BN to serve as the central force in the alliance, with partners fielding candidates where they are most likely to succeed,” he said.
He added that Johor demonstrated BN’s continued electoral relevance.
“The real test now is turning that confidence into tangible results in Negeri Sembilan — through smart planning, solid coordination, and a clear focus on securing enough seats to take control of the state government,” he said.
