Negeri Sembilan heads to the polls on Aug 1, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan pact battling to retain power in the face of a Malay-Muslim unity narrative spun by Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.

Tens of thousands of residents are without power and water in temperatures forecast to approach 40°C this weekend.

Parties have tailored their campaigns to younger Malaysians, promising better jobs, affordable housing, education opportunities and improved public transport in a bid to win over the state's largest voting bloc.