PETALING JAYA: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has downplayed the potential impact of Barisan Nasional’s landslide win in Johor on the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan state election.
Loke said the political dynamics in both states differ, with Pakatan Harapan holding the advantage of incumbency having governed Negeri Sembilan since 2018, Bernama reported.
“Our focus is on defending the seats we won in 2023 and regain the people’s mandate to continue forming the state government.
“In the 2023 state election, PH won 17 seats while BN won 14. Therefore, we still have a strong foundation to defend our existing seats,” the Chennah assemblyman said.
Loke said PH still enjoyed a “pattern of support” in Johor despite the state election defeat, pointing to DAP’s success in winning more than 50% of the vote share in the six seats it retained.
He said this proved that PH and DAP continued to have a solid support base in urban areas.
According to him, the straight fights benefitted BN, especially with PAS throwing its support behind the Umno-led coalition’s candidates.
“Of course, this result in Johor is disappointing for PH,” he said. “However, every day is a new beginning. We respect the decision of the Johor electorate because that is their right in a democratic system.”
Like in Johor, BN and PH are expected to go solo in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election, which will have 36 seats up for grabs.
In the 2023 polls, both coalitions contested as allies with PH winning 17 seats and BN winning 14. Perikatan Nasional won the remaining five, with PAS winning three, and Bersatu two.
The state election was called months after BN retracted support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun in April.
