Negeri Sembilan State Election: BERSATU Using Own Logo as PN Fractures

PETALING JAYA, July 15 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) has declared it will field all its candidates under its own standalone party logo for the upcoming 16th Negeri Sembilan state election. The strategic shift directly exposes deep operational divisions within the opposition coalition ahead of the crucial regional polls.

Party President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin revealed the decision during a press conference following a BERSATU Supreme Leadership Council meeting tonight. He stated that the move was heavily influenced by PAS’ recent choice to initiate separate political talks with Barisan Nasional (BN) for the Negeri Sembilan state election. Furthermore, he noted that BERSATU had been completely excluded from key seat allocation negotiations within the broader Perikatan Nasional (PN) framework.

Muhyiddin clarified that his party strongly believes all policy alignments and campaign strategies should go through the coalition’s Supreme Council first. However, he lamented that this collaborative process had broken down entirely in the run-up to the state polls.

“Unfortunately, the PN Supreme Council has yet to meet and the PN Seat Negotiation Committee meeting, which was supposed to be held on July 12, was also postponed without a new date being set to finalise seat allocations among PN component parties,” Muhyiddin told reporters.

The former prime minister expressed deep regret over the failure of the PN chairman to call an emergency Supreme Council meeting. He described the ongoing administrative delay at such a critical moment for the Negeri Sembilan state election as a direct violation of the established PN Constitution.

To navigate the diplomatic impasse, the BERSATU Supreme Leadership Council has officially granted Muhyiddin the mandate to allow prospective candidates from outside the party to run under the BERSATU banner, provided they pass strict internal vetting procedures.

“These parties must submit an official letter to us. The committee will review the application and, if it is deemed appropriate, we will grant approval,” he explained. He added that the party’s definitive candidate lineup for the Negeri Sembilan state election will be locked in tomorrow before an official public unveiling on Friday.

When questioned by journalists on whether dropping the coalition symbol hints at a permanent exit from PN, Muhyiddin clarified that a final decision on their political future would remain on hold until the current campaign concludes.

“For now, BERSATU remains a member of PN. The decision on whether we remain in PN or otherwise will be made after the Negeri Sembilan state election,” he noted.

The open political defiance follows statements made by PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang last Monday. Hadi confirmed that the Islamic party has been holding independent, positive discussions with BN leaders ahead of the August 1 polling day, a move that effectively sidelined BERSATU from the state’s main opposition consensus.

-NMT