Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional take Negeri Sembilan with supermajority
Plus: Bursa Malaysia's Q2 profit jumps 26 percent, Starlink plans satellite trials, and Malaysia's judo and track cyclists strike gold at the Commonwealth Games.
TL;DR
- BN wins 18 seats, PN takes 7, and the alliance claims a supermajority in Negeri Sembilan after PH's two-term hold collapses. Opposition leaders Loke and Aminuddin lost their seats.
- Bursa Malaysia's Q2 profit jumped 26 percent to RM71.78 million as trading revenue surged 36 percent and IPO targets rose to RM34 billion.
- Starlink aims to trial Direct-to-Cell satellite service in Malaysia, enabling 4G connectivity to remote areas without new towers.
- Amir Daniel won Malaysia's first-ever judo gold at the Commonwealth Games while track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang took keirin gold after a 16-year drought.
Politics
Alliance clinches historic Negeri Sembilan supermajority
The BN-PN coalition ends two years of opposition rule with a decisive electoral mandate across the state.
Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional claimed 25 of 36 seats in Negeri Sembilan, with BN winning 18 and PN seven, ending Pakatan Harapan's two-term government and giving the federal coalition a supermajority to reshape the state administration. The results mark the first successful electoral test of the BN-PN alliance at state level (via Malaysiakini).
Loke and Aminuddin fall. Two heavyweight opposition figures lost their seats: DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook was defeated in Chennah after winning there three times previously, while Negeri Sembilan's menteri besar Aminuddin Harun lost Linggi to Umno's Faizal Ramli. The setbacks underscore the depth of PH's collapse in the state (via Malaysiakini).
Deputy PM eyes next ballot. Following the victory, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi signaled the coalition intends to call elections in Malacca next, signaling momentum for the ruling bloc at the state level (via Free Malaysia Today).
Business and economy
Bursa Malaysia profit surges as IPO targets climb
Strong trading and listing revenue drive a 26 percent jump in second-quarter earnings, sparking optimism on the exchange.
Bursa Malaysia's net profit jumped 25.9 percent to RM71.78 million (approximately $17.6 million) in the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, buoyed by surging trading revenue that climbed 36 percent and listing-related fees that jumped 58 percent. Overall revenue rose 22.3 percent to RM210.97 million, signaling robust market activity (via New Straits Times).
IPO targets revised upward. Riding this momentum, Bursa Malaysia raised its 2026 IPO market capitalisation target by RM6 billion to RM34 billion after surpassing its original RM28 billion forecast in the first half. Chief executive Datuk Fad'l Mohamed cited robust listing appetite and strong trading conditions as key drivers (via New Straits Times).
Technology
Starlink to trial satellite internet for rural Malaysia
Direct-to-Cell service aims to extend 4G coverage to remote areas without tower infrastructure.
Starlink intends to conduct trials of its Direct-to-Cell satellite technology in Malaysia, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) inviting local mobile operators to participate. The technology allows existing 4G LTE smartphones to connect via satellite without specialized hardware, maintaining users' existing SIM cards and phone numbers (via SoyaCincau).
Cost and speed advantages. Starlink satellites deployed act as 4G base stations in orbit, with V2 satellites expected to deliver 20 times current throughput. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil noted satellite deployment arrives faster and cheaper than terrestrial towers—which typically take 18 to 24 months—targeting messaging, voice calls, and emergency comms in rural and offshore zones (via SoyaCincau).
Entertainment
TGV opens flagship cinema at Pavilion with Hero-Con celebration
The new 10-screen venue marks TGV's expansion while hosting a five-day superhero festival.
TGV Cinemas opened a 10-screen venue at Pavilion Damansara Heights with 1,310 seats, launching with Hero-Con 2026—a five-day superhero festival through August 2 featuring interactive activities and giveaways. The opening marks TGV's expansion into premium multiplex destinations in Malaysia's upscale shopping hubs (via The Star).
Sports
Malaysia breaks through with judo gold and track triumph in Glasgow
Amir Daniel claims the nation's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo title while cyclist Azizulhasni Awang ends a 16-year gold drought.
Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed won Malaysia's inaugural Commonwealth Games judo gold medal in the men's under-81kg category, marking a historic breakthrough for a nation that has long excelled in other sports. The victory underscores Malaysia's strengthening presence across diverse athletic disciplines at the Glasgow 2026 Games (via Free Malaysia Today).
Azizulhasni finally triumphs. Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang secured Malaysia's keirin gold medal at the Games, ending a 16-year wait for victory in the discipline after multiple prior attempts. The dual breakthrough lifted Malaysia's overall medal haul to 13, including 7 golds across weightlifting, judo, and track cycling, exceeding the nation's initial targets and signaling strong talent depth (via New Straits Times).