Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan coalition has lost another key state election, raising fresh doubts about his political standing. | BLOOMBERG
Aug 3, 2026
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling bloc lost a key state election to the once-dominant Barisan Nasional coalition, raising fresh doubts about his political standing ahead of the next nationwide polls.
Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition won only 11 of 36 seats in Negeri Sembilan on Saturday, down from 17 previously, with even Malaysia’s transport minister losing his place in the state assembly.
Barisan Nasional and its ally in the election, Perikatan Nasional, led by the country’s top Islamist party, won a combined 25 seats and are now set to form the new state government with a supermajority. Voter turnout was about 73%.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
