Umno leader warns of Malay vote threat in Negeri Sembilan ahead of state election

Former UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin urged Malay voters in Negeri Sembilan to back Barisan Nasional (BN) in the August 1 state election, arguing that Malay interests would be "under threat" if UMNO is excluded from the state government. He highlighted that the previous BN‑led administration included 14 UMNO assemblymen who, in his view, protected Malay concerns.

DAP secretary‑general Loke Siew Fook rejected Khairy’s claim as an "old political tactic" designed to exploit racial sentiment. Loke noted that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) state government, headed by Malay Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, has introduced policies to safeguard the welfare of the Malay community since taking office in 2018. He described Khairy’s rhetoric as a return to prior, less progressive politics after the former MP rejoined UMNO.