Commentary: With PH’s Negeri Sembilan defeat, PM Anwar is running out of states and time
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition losing in the latest state polls is not an isolated incident. It is the third and most devastating strike in a series that has transformed the political map of Malaysia, writes CNA’s Leslie Lopez.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan coalition suffered a significant defeat in the recent Negeri Sembilan state polls, marking yet another loss in a series that is reshaping Malaysia's political landscape. The defeat came after Pakatan Harapan's near-total wipeout in Sabah in November 2025 and their crushing defeat in Johor in July.
These setbacks demonstrate a clear pattern, as UMNO, PAS, and Wawasan have united to unseat Anwar's coalition. In Negeri Sembilan, the BN and PN coalitions won 25 out of 36 seats, effectively giving them the power to redraw constituencies and govern without opposition. With Malays accounting for about 60% of Malaysia's population and 123 out of 222 parliamentary wards, the new coalition now holds a significant advantage.
This shift marks a retreat from Malaysia's multi-racial experiment to a more Malay-centric contest, leaving non-Malay parties like the DAP increasingly irrelevant. The political comeback of Anwar's chief minister, Aminuddin Harun, and the resurgence of UMNO have defied every political prediction. With the next general election set for early 2028, Anwar's options are increasingly limited, with the prospect of removing his deputy prime minister, Zahid Hamidi, and dissolving the Unity Government appearing to be the least worst choice.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
