(Seremban, 2nd) With the official results of the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election announced, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) have together won 25 state assembly seats, successfully obtaining the mandate to govern. The appointment of the new Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) has become a focus of attention. Among the candidates, BN-UMNO's former state executive councillor and Juasseh assemblyman, Datuk Ismail Lasim, is seen as the most likely choice for the new Menteri Besar. He is expected to be sworn in this morning at Istana Seri Menanti.
According to high-level party sources, Ismail Lasim has already obtained the royal consent of the Negeri Sembilan Ruler, Tuanku Muhriz, to lead the new state government. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held between 10 am and 11 am today at Istana Seri Menanti.
However, as of now, the Palace has yet to issue an official statement, and the final appointment is still subject to an official announcement from the Negeri Sembilan Royal Household.
It is understood that BN chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had an audience with Tuanku Muhriz last night and submitted three Menteri Besar candidates for royal consideration. Ahmad Zahid stated that the appointment of the Menteri Besar is the sole prerogative of the Ruler, and he would not disclose the list of candidates in order to respect the royal appointment process.
He said BN has completed its nomination process and the final decision will be made by the Ruler.
However, the currently rumored candidate list also varies. Apart from Ismail Lasim, the other two candidates are UMNO Deputy President and former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (Tok Mat), and Negeri Sembilan UMNO Liaison Committee Chairman and Paroi assemblyman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin.
On the other hand, there are reports that the candidates presented by BN include Jalaluddin; former Lenggeng assemblyman and former Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Datuk Mohamad Asna Amin; and Rantau assemblyman Datuk Saifuddin Azman. Nevertheless, party sources widely believe that Ismail Lasim is also included in the candidate list.
Ismail Lasim was previously the assemblyman for Senaling, but in this election, he contested the Juasseh seat and successfully defeated the PN and Pakatan Harapan candidates, helping BN to retain the seat.
Currently, all attention is focused on Istana Seri Menanti as the public awaits the Royal Household’s formal announcement of the new Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar and the swearing-in ceremony.