SHAH ALAM: DAP is preparing to contest 17 seats in Johor and defend all 11 of its seats in Negeri Sembilan, signalling that the party intends to protect its existing ground as both states head toward closely watched elections.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the party would defend the 10 seats it won in the 2022 Johor state election. It is also looking to contest four seats it previously lost and three additional seats, bringing its possible Johor target to 17.
In Negeri Sembilan, DAP is expected to defend all 11 seats it currently holds. The state election is being closely watched because Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional have governed together there, but seat arrangements for the coming polls remain politically sensitive.
The announcement suggests DAP is moving to preserve its electoral identity and traditional support base, even as PH and BN continue to cooperate at the federal level. It also reflects the wider challenge facing unity government parties as they manage cooperation nationally while competing for influence at state level.
Johor has 56 state seats. In the 2022 state election, BN won a commanding majority and formed the state government, while DAP won 10 of the 14 seats it contested.
Negeri Sembilan has 36 state seats. In the last state election, PH won 17 seats and BN won 14, giving the two coalitions a combined majority, while Perikatan Nasional won five.
The Election Commission has fixed nomination day for Johor on June 27, early voting on July 7 and polling day on July 11.
For Negeri Sembilan, nomination day is set for July 18, early voting on July 28 and polling day on August 1.
DAP's seat plans will be closely watched by both allies and rivals. For PH, the party's performance will be important in urban and mixed constituencies, where voter turnout and local service records could shape the final result.
For BN, DAP's decision may complicate state-level seat negotiations, especially in areas where both coalitions want to demonstrate strength ahead of the next general election.
The two elections will test whether PH and BN can maintain federal cooperation while managing state-level competition, and whether voters accept different political arrangements at different levels of government.
Sources: Bernama, Scoop, Free Malaysia Today, Election Commission.
