PAS To Discuss Johor And Negeri Sembilan Election Strategy Next Week As Samsuri Says No Alliance Decision Yet

KUALA LUMPUR,June,2026 – PAS leaders are expected to meet next week to determine the party’s approach to the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, including whether to explore possible new political alignments ahead of the polls.

Perikatan Nasional chairman and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said no decision has been made on forming any new alliance. He explained that PAS’ top leadership would first discuss the matter internally before it is brought to the Perikatan Nasional level.

According to Samsuri, it is normal for political parties to conduct analyses during the election process, but he stressed that no final decision has been reached regarding any new alignment. He said PAS leaders will discuss how the party should move forward before convening a meeting with PN.

The statement comes as Johor and Negeri Sembilan prepare for two important state elections that are expected to test the strength of Malaysia’s major political blocs.

The Election Commission has fixed July 11 as polling day for the Johor state election, with nomination day on June 27 and early voting on July 7. For Negeri Sembilan, polling day has been set for August 1, with nomination on July 18 and early voting on July 28.

The separate polling dates mean parties will need to prepare two campaign strategies, one for Johor and another for Negeri Sembilan. This may affect candidate selection, seat negotiations, campaign messaging and the deployment of party machinery.

Samsuri’s remarks also come amid questions over whether PN may accept new political actors or form temporary alignments to strengthen its chances in the two state contests. One of the groups being watched is the Reset movement, led by former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

Samsuri said PN has not received any formal application from Reset to join the coalition, although informal discussions have taken place. He also said there had been discussions with Umno, but no decisions were made.

This suggests that PN is keeping its options open, but any official cooperation will require proper coalition-level approval. Samsuri said any party that wishes to align with PN must submit an application, just like other parties seeking to join or cooperate with the coalition.

The discussion is politically significant because the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections will take place at a time of shifting alliances and rising pressure within Malaysia’s political landscape.

Johor is currently a key state for Barisan Nasional, while Negeri Sembilan has been governed by Pakatan Harapan. Reuters reported that the two state elections will not directly affect Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s parliamentary majority, but poor results for parties in the ruling federal coalition could weaken their national prospects before the next general election, which is due by early 2028.

For PAS and PN, the elections are an opportunity to test their ability to expand support beyond their traditional strongholds. Johor is especially important because BN has a deep historical presence in the state, while Negeri Sembilan will test whether PN can make gains in a state previously held by PH.

The question of possible alliances is important because multi-cornered fights can split opposition votes. If PN, Reset, Umno-related figures or other political forces contest separately, the electoral impact may differ from a more coordinated opposition strategy.

At the same time, cooperation is not simple. PAS, Bersatu, Gerakan and other PN components must balance local seat negotiations, voter sentiment and coalition identity. Any new alignment may also affect how PN presents itself to voters during the campaign.

Samsuri’s cautious tone reflects this complexity. By saying that no decision has been made, he is leaving room for internal consultation while avoiding premature commitments that could create confusion among supporters and coalition partners.

The PAS meeting next week will likely focus on several key issues, including candidate strategy, seat negotiations, campaign themes, cooperation with PN components and whether any external political alignment is useful in Johor or Negeri Sembilan.

For Johor, PN may need to decide how aggressively it wants to challenge BN in Malay-majority and mixed seats. BN has already signalled that it intends to contest Johor independently, creating a competitive environment among parties that are also connected through wider national political arrangements.

For Negeri Sembilan, the challenge is different. PH has a strong presence in the state, and PN will likely frame the election as a chance to challenge the incumbent administration on governance, cost of living and local development.

The elections may also become a referendum on national political sentiment. Even though voters will choose state representatives, campaign issues may include federal governance, coalition stability, economic pressure, religious and identity politics, and confidence in national leadership.

PAS’ role inside PN will be closely watched. The party remains one of the strongest components in the opposition bloc and has significant grassroots machinery, especially among Malay-Muslim voters. Its decisions may shape how PN approaches both elections.

Samsuri himself is also a key figure because he currently chairs PN and is seen as one of the coalition’s most important leaders. His comments indicate that PAS and PN are still assessing the political ground before making final decisions.

The possible involvement of the Reset movement adds another layer to the discussion. If Reset seeks cooperation with PN, it could affect Bersatu-linked support, opposition unity and candidate placement in selected seats. However, without a formal application or official decision, its role remains uncertain.

The upcoming PAS leadership discussion may therefore become an important step in clarifying the opposition’s direction before nomination begins.

With Johor nomination day set for June 27, parties have limited time to finalise their strategies. Decisions made over the next one to two weeks could determine whether PN enters the state polls with a straightforward coalition strategy or a broader alignment involving other political actors.

For voters, the main issue will be whether these political negotiations translate into clear choices and credible candidates. While alliances matter at the leadership level, local voter response will depend heavily on constituency issues, candidate reputation and party machinery.

PAS’ planned meeting next week marks an important moment ahead of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections. Ahmad Samsuri’s statement shows that PN has not finalised any new alliance, but the coalition is actively studying its options as it prepares for two major state contests.

The outcome of these discussions could shape not only the election campaigns in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, but also the wider direction of Malaysia’s opposition politics heading into the next general election cycle.