KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) is targeting at least 20 seats in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said today, as he confirmed he would defend his Chennah seat and lead the coalition’s campaign in the state.

Loke said the target was based on PH’s performance in the 2018 general election, when the coalition won 20 of the 36 seats in the Negeri Sembilan legislative assembly.

“Of course, we will play our role in supporting our PH partners to win other seats, and we are targeting at least 20 seats in this state.

“This is because our record shows that we won 20 seats in 2018. Therefore, we hope the people of Negeri Sembilan will give PH the mandate to continue governing the state,” he told Sinar Harian after chairing a special Negeri Sembilan DAP committee meeting here.

Loke, who is also Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman, said the party would defend all 11 state seats it currently holds, with its list of candidates to be announced soon.

“DAP will play its role wholeheartedly to win every seat it contests.

“To achieve that goal, I have decided, with the support of the CEC and the state committee, to continue leading the election campaign and contest in this state election,” he said.

Loke said PH was prepared for the snap election following the dissolution of the Negeri Sembilan legislative assembly last Friday.

“We also expect the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections to be held simultaneously, possibly in July,” he said.

Loke said PH backed fresh elections after 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrew support for caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun's administration.

“Although there was an understanding at the federal level between BN and PH that BN assemblymen would continue supporting the government and ensure the passage of next year’s Budget, PH felt that the risk involved was too great.

“So, it is best that we return the mandate to the people through an election that will determine which party has the majority to govern Negeri Sembilan,” he said.

He said uncertainty over the passage of the 2027 state Budget, which is scheduled to be tabled in October, was a key factor behind the decision to seek a fresh mandate.

“If the Budget is not passed, the state government will face an administrative crisis because a government cannot function without a Budget approved by the state assembly.

“Taking that into consideration, PH decided to dissolve the state assembly and Negeri Sembilan DAP welcomes the decision and is ready to shoulder its responsibility in this election,” he said.

He said DAP's immediate priority was to defend its 11 seats while helping PH strengthen its position in the state assembly.