Datuk Ismail Lasim sworn in as Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar!
SEREMBAN: Following the electoral victory of the coalition between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), 67-year-old UMNO veteran Datuk Ismail Lasim was officially sworn in as the new Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan this morning (Sunday, 2 August 2026).
Ismail, who is the UMNO Kuala Pilah division chief and the newly elected Assemblyman for Juasseh, took his oath of office on Sunday morning before the Ruler of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
A seasoned politician who previously served as the state assemblyman for Senaling, Ismail secured victory in the Juasseh constituency during the August 1 state election by defeating his Pakatan Harapan opponent in a three-cornered contest.
Ismail’s appointment comes despite widespread initial expectations that Pertang assemblyman Jalaluddin bin Alias would be named to the top state post.
State Executive Council Composition and Indian Representation
Following his swearing-in, the new Menteri Besar will oversee the selection and appointment of the 9-member State Executive Council (EXCO).
While executive council portfolios are expected to be allocated between UMNO and Pakatan Harapan partners, the incoming state government faces a complete absence of elected Indian representatives, as all the 3 Indian candidates who won as state assemblymen are from DAP and PKR. None of the Indian candidates who contested under BN and PN managed to win any seats.
Consequently, no Indian representative will hold an EXCO seat in the newly formed state administration. In the previous state administration under PH, there were 2 Indian EXCO members, namely J. Arul Kumar and S. Veerapan. However, it is anticipated that one of the nine appointed EXCO members will be assigned specific oversight and responsibility for Indian community affairs.
Meanwhile, official announcements regarding the exact seat-sharing arrangement and portfolio distribution among coalition partners BN and PN for the new Executive Council are expected soon.
