Ismail Lasim

Ismail bin Lasim (born 15 April 1960) is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who is the ninth Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan since August 2026. A member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), he is the deputy chair and information chief of the party's Negeri Sembilan state liaison committee as well as division chief of UMNO's Kuala Pilah division.

Political career Ismail was first elected as a member of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Senaling following the conclusion of the 1999 Malaysian state elections and successfully defended the seat for the following three election cycles and also during the 2023–2026 term. Between May 2018 to August 2023, he represented Juasseh having won the constituency in 2018 and again since August 2026.

From March 2004 to May 2018, Ismail served three consecutive terms as an executive councillor (EXCO) of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council in the National Front (Barisan Nasional; BN) administrations of seventh MB Mohamad Hasan, holding different portfolios during each of the terms.

Ismail was selected to serve as an EXCO again from August 2023 by the eighth MB, Aminuddin Harun, in the joint Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan; PH)–BN government until its collapse in August 2026.

On 2 August 2026, Ismail was sworn-in as the ninth MB following the 2026 Negeri Sembilan state election at the Seri Menanti Grand Palace (Istana Besar Seri Menanti). Prior to announcing his BN–National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional; PN) executive council line-up, Ismail's appointment was questioned by one of his predecessors and chairman of PN-component National Vision Party (WAWASAN), Rais Yatim, who alleged that there was "outside interference" involved in the former's appointment. Ismail denied the allegations and instead announced that his administration may introduce deputy EXCO posts as there may not be sufficient EXCO posts (capped at ten) to offer to all the BN–PN coalition parties.

Election results

Honours