PAS leaders’ comments affecting BN’s victory chances in Negeri Sembilan!

SEREMBAN: With just one week remaining before polling day in the Negeri Sembilan state election, political campaigning has reached a fever pitch across the state. At the centre of intense debate is the electoral pact forged between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), particularly the strategic understanding between UMNO and PAS.

While the pact was intended to consolidate Malay-Muslim voter support behind BN and PN candidates, recent controversial rhetoric from PAS leadership has sparked sharp backlash, leaving political analysts to warn that BN candidates now face a heightened risk of losing non-Malay votes.

The controversy deepened following a campaign speech by Kedah Menteri Besar and PN Election Director Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in Jempol. During his address, Sanusi asserted that Chinese Malaysians have China, Indian Malaysians have India, Siamese have Thailand, and Cambodians have Cambodia, leaving Tanah Melayu as the Malays’ sole homeland. His remarks drew widespread condemnation for questioning the citizenship narrative and national belonging of non-Malay Malaysians.

In response to Sanusi’s speech, PKR leader Dr Sathiaprakash lodged an official police report against the Kedah Menteri Besar at the Seremban district police headquarters, accusing him of inciting racial division.

Addressing the growing fallout, MIC National President Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran (pic) voiced strong dissatisfaction in a statement published by Malaysiakini. Vigneswaran warned that inflammatory and racially charged remarks by PAS leaders risk alienating Chinese and Indian voters, directly undermining BN’s electoral prospects in Negeri Sembilan.

Emphasising the loyalty of non-Malay citizens, Vigneswaran affirmed that Chinese and Indian Malaysians are citizens of Malaysia whose allegiance lies solely with the country and His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He suggested that Barisan Nasional would be better served operating independently rather than aligning with PAS or Perikatan Nasional, noting that while Pakatan Harapan’s Amanah is also an Islamic-based party, its leaders maintain an inclusive approach that respects multi-ethnic sensibilities without offending non-Malay communities.

Concurrently, Batu Member of Parliament P. Prabakaran condemned the political alliance between BN and PAS, criticising BN for aligning with a party that continues to fuel polarisation and underlying tensions regarding non-Muslim places of worship.

With non-Malay voters weighing these shifting political dynamics, analysts emphasise that BN’s electoral fortunes in mixed constituencies across Negeri Sembilan may hinge heavily on how effectively the coalition distances itself from divisive rhetoric in the final days of the campaign.