DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has cautioned that any attempts to form a "backdoor government" in Negeri Sembilan are akin to a betrayal of the people's mandate.
Commenting on the ongoing political turmoil plaguing the state, Loke, who is also the Seremban MP and Chennah assemblyperson, affirmed that DAP will not support any "tebuk atap" manoeuvres aimed at toppling the state government.
The term refers to covert engineering of defections or backroom manoeuvres to bring down a government or shift power without going through an election.
"The unity government in Negeri Sembilan was not formed after the state election - we already had an agreement prior to the polls," Loke told a press conference in Seremban today.
"Based on our cooperation at the federal level, we campaigned on the unity government platform, and the mandate by the rakyat was for Pakatan Harapan and BN.
"If you withdraw support for the government or attempt to form any government that does not consist of Harapan-BN, you are disrespecting and turning your back on voters' mandate," Loke asserted.
His remarks came after Negeri Sembilan Umno earlier today withdrew its support for state menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, 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 Tuanku Munawir as ruler.
READ MORE: Royal rumble: N Sembilan chieftains 'sack' ruler in tit-for-tat
Cautioning that the royal crisis could affect the stability of the state's administration, Jalaluddin said Aminuddin should have better handled the matter.
Besides the Umno figures, the current 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.
Full support
Loke, who sat alongside Aminuddin and Negeri Sembilan Amanah chairperson MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman during the press conference at the menteri besar's official residence today, also iterated DAP's stance on the royal dispute.
He said that while DAP respects the powers of the Undang Yang Empat to appoint and depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, such action must adhere to procedures stipulated in the state constitution.
"When there is a dispute between the Undang Yang Empat and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, we do not get involved (as) we respect the royal institution's processes...(which includes) a full and complete inquiry.
"The process has not been completed. We still respect Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
"It's not just (DAP) - all state assemblypersons recognise Tuanku Muhriz (as the state ruler) following Tuanku's officiating of the state legislative assembly. Tuanku's position remains and is valid," Loke emphasised.
Stressing that no quarter should be allowed to belittle the Yang di-Pertuan's position, the transport minister said Tuanku Muhriz should be defended until all relevant processes have been sufficiently executed.
He also expressed DAP's full support for Aminuddin's leadership, affirming that all party representatives in the state will continue to support the state government's policies as usual.
All DAP assemblypersons, he added, will continue to serve the people without any disruption.
Expressing similar sentiments, MK Ibrahim, who is also the state assembly speaker, said Amanah was surprised and disappointed by Umno’s move to withdraw support for Aminuddin.
“The menteri besar has Amanah's full support as long as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar supports him.
"Nothing can challenge or bring down the government (unless) a group that commands a majority seeks an audience with Tuanku and Tuanku consents - that has not happened yet,” he said. - Mkini
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