Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied knowing about any meeting involving leaders from Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in Kuala Lumpur. "No, I do not know anything about it. I checked with the Home Minister as well, and based on the information received, there was no such thing. No," Zahid said at the 104th Immigration Day celebration on July 21 [1, 2, 3].

Zahid also reaffirmed BN’s commitment to the Unity Government until the 16th General Election (GE16), in line with resolutions from the UMNO General Assembly [1, 2, 3]. He urged BN's election machinery in Negri Sembilan to intensify efforts to improve their chances in the state polls, acknowledging the coalition is the underdog. "I am still not satisfied with their groundwork. We are the underdog party, our candidates are underdogs... even underdogs must seize their opportunities," Zahid said [4].

BN held 14 state seats in Negri Sembilan prior to the dissolution of the assembly [4]. Its upcoming state election manifesto aims to create 50,000 jobs and transform Negri Sembilan into a halal product manufacturing hub [4].

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim warned ministers, deputy ministers, and federal agency heads to resign if they use their positions to attack fellow Unity Government partners amid state election campaigns. This caution came on July 19, ahead of the Negri Sembilan polls [1, 5, 6, 7]. Zahid responded by saying BN ministers need not resign voluntarily. "The prime minister warned that those who speak ill of other ministers or ministries during the election campaign should resign... If he doesn't like us, he can just sack us. However, he wouldn't have the heart to sack us because all of us work very hard," he said [5, 6, 7].

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he was ready to step down if ordered but stressed no BN member had criticized the federal government during the campaign so far [5, 6, 7].

Negri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun called Zahid’s remarks an inappropriate challenge to the Prime Minister’s authority and emphasized the need for unity within the federal government. "If that was indeed what he (Zahid) said, I believe it was a challenge. I do not think it was appropriate for (such a statement) to be made by a friend and close ally of the prime minister," Aminuddin said [7].

On July 20, social media circulated claims of a joint meeting or press conference involving BN, PN, GPS, and GRS leaders, which Zahid denied on July 21 [1, 2, 3].

The Negri Sembilan state election campaign continues, with BN focusing on job creation and economic development commitments in its manifesto [4].