Kuala lumpur: Pakatan Harapan (PH) is focusing on a locality-based micro-campaign strategy to deliver the coalition's message and election pledges directly to grassroots voters in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election. PH election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated that the small-group engagement approach is more effective as it focuses on addressing local issues and meeting the specific needs of each community, without touching on personal matters.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amirudin emphasized that large-scale campaign events or mega ceramah still play an important role as the campaign finale, serving as a platform to showcase the strength and unity of the coalition machinery while attracting fence-sitters. He highlighted that PH is leading the state government in Negeri Sembilan, with stability demonstrated during its first term being a key selling point. PH's track record includes increasing the state's reserves and stimulating economic activity with growth between 25 and 28 percent, which Amirudin believes will reinforce the confidence of opinion leaders and decision-makers to support the coalition with a strong majority.

Amirudin, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, noted that the effectiveness of the micro-campaign strategy is further strengthened by PH's well-established grassroots machinery in Negeri Sembilan, which has been firmly in place since the coalition was given the mandate to govern the state in 2018. He mentioned that the strategy has been improved compared to the recently concluded Johor state election, with a greater emphasis on ensuring message consistency and strengthening coordination among the component parties' campaign machinery.

Beyond its campaign strategy, Amirudin expressed optimism that PH's administrative track record under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun from 2018 to the present will serve as a key benchmark for voters in choosing political stability in the state. He also commented on the cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the state election, noting that the strategy reflects the new reality of the country's political landscape, where parties continue to seek the best coalition formula since the 2018 General Election.

Amirudin stated that past experience has shown every political alliance faces its own challenges, particularly in maintaining consensus, allocating seats, and aligning its direction when contesting elections. He remarked that the strength of a political coalition should be judged over the long term based on its ability to sustain consensus and manage challenges, rather than solely on the outcome of a single election.

In the 2023 Negeri Sembilan state election, PH won 17 seats, while BN secured 14 and PN five. The Election Commission has set August 1 as polling day for the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, with early voting scheduled for July 28.