Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun will continue leading the state under a "minority government", as per the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir's instructions.
Aminuddin said he had held an audience with the state ruler after all 14 Umno assemblypersons declared the withdrawal of their support for the menteri besar's leadership.
"Tuanku Muhriz advised and decreed that I continue my duties as the menteri besar as usual.
"(The decision) will ensure that the state's administrative duties are able to proceed smoothly," Aminuddin (above) told a press conference at his official residence in Seremban today.
He highlighted that since there is still a lack of "clarity" on the move to declare a loss of confidence, the state administration is able to continue its duties despite four of its exco members withdrawing their support.
"As we have seen before, a minority government is still able to perform its roles," Aminuddin said.
Earlier today, Negeri Sembilan Umno withdrew its support for Aminuddin, who is also PKR's Port Dickson MP and Sikamat assemblyperson.
Its chairperson, Jalaluddin Alias, said the decision was made unanimously by all 14 assemblypersons due to their loss of confidence in Aminuddin’s leadership.
The Jelebu MP and Pertang assemblyperson told a press conference that the move is linked to the ongoing dispute involving the state’s four territorial chieftains invoking their authority to sack Tuanku Muhriz as ruler.
Cautioning that the royal crisis could affect the stability of the state's administration, Jalaluddin said Aminuddin should have handled the matter better.
Surprised by move
Aminuddin, however, contended that the decision to sack Tuanku Muhriz was not his call, as it was a matter determined by the Negeri Sembilan Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs (Dewan Keadilan dan Undang).
He also said the move against him is "surprising" as four Umno representatives had previously approached him appealing for the state's legislative assembly sitting to be postponed.
"The night before the officiating (of the first state legislative assembly meeting of the year), four Umno exco members met me requesting that the sitting be postponed," he told the media.
"The request came from BN itself, and after discussions, we agreed to the postponement.
"That's why what's happening now is shocking to me... if this (withdrawal of support) is something that has been planned from earlier on, then the sitting should have been allowed to proceed as scheduled," he added.
Asserting that he is prepared to face a motion of no confidence if the matter is raised in the state assembly, Aminuddin assured that the state assembly will not be dissolved anytime soon.
He also said there are no plans thus far to hold an emergency sitting to address the issue of his loss of support.
Following an officiating ceremony boycotted by the Undang Yang Empat, state legislative speaker MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman on April 23 informed of the sitting's postponement to a date that has yet to be confirmed.
According to the assembly’s initial timetable, the meeting was scheduled to take place from today to April 29.
Aminuddin said the state assembly has up to six months to convene its sitting.
‘I’ll work harder’
The menteri besar appealed for the rakyat's support for the state administration to continue executing its duties, lamenting that Umno's move has come at a time when unity at the state level is of utmost importance.
"We should be resolving an issue that has happened (royal dispute), but at the same time, something like this is now happening (withdrawal of support)," he said.
Aminuddin added that the matter of the exco positions effectively vacated by the four Umno assemblypersons following their withdrawal of support will be determined at a later date.
"(Amid all that is happening), I am still able to smile. I will leave it to God, there must be a reason behind all of this, which has been arranged by God.
"InsyaAllah, I will work even harder," the seemingly calm and cheery menteri besar said.
The Negeri Sembilan 36-seat legislature also consists of 17 assemblypersons from Pakatan Harapan and five representatives from Perikatan Nasional.
Considering that a total of 19 seats are needed to form a government in the state, BN’s exit from its unity pact with Harapan will cause the state government to collapse.
There are two possible scenarios following this:
BN may compel Harapan to support one of its assemblypersons to become menteri besar to keep the Madani pact intact.
Alternatively, BN can team up with PN, which will cause the fall of the Madani coalition at the state level.
All five PN assemblypersons - three from PAS and two from Bersatu - have since announced their readiness to cooperate with BN in Negeri Sembilan. - Mkini
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