Negeri Sembilan Umno has adopted a "wait and see" approach over any decisions to be made by the party’s top leaders, together with Pakatan Harapan as partners in government, on the state menteri besar’s position.
Speaking to reporters at the Umno 80th anniversary celebration, Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias also maintained that all 14 of the party’s elected state representatives have withdrawn support for Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.
"I have already stated the position of the 14 Negeri Sembilan assemblypersons that we have lost confidence in the leadership of the menteri besar. This means we are not taking any approach to change this position.
"This is not a stance driven by political interests, power, or any form of backdoor manoeuvring.
"Rather, it concerns the governance of the state, particularly in managing the adat (customary) institutions and the monarchy in Negeri Sembilan," he stressed.
Jalaluddin also reiterated that Negeri Sembilan Umno remains prepared to be a part of the state opposition until the next state or general election.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said that the question of whether there is a need to appoint a new Negeri Sembilan menteri besar will be brought to the negotiation table by the BN and Harapan leadership.
Alluding to the matter today, Jalaluddin said, "We will wait for that decision.
"Whoever is the MB candidate decided by the top leaders, that is the decision by BN and Harapan. That is not a decision for Negeri Sembilan Umno.
"So we will wait and see when that decision is made.”
‘Wait and see’
Quizzed further on whether Negeri Sembilan Umno is prepared to support a new menteri besar from PKR or Harapan, Jalaluddin insisted they will "wait and see" and that the question goes beyond politics, power or any single individual.
"The main question is on the MB’s central role not to allow this kind of crisis to happen," he stressed.
Earlier, in his speech at the Umno 80th Anniversary Convention, Jalaluddin defended the decision by the 14 state lawmakers to withdraw their support for Aminuddin.
According to him, the menteri besar crossed the "red line" when Aminuddin "took sides" in the royal dispute between Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and its four ruling chieftains.
The menteri besar's failure to manage the crisis has also tarnished the image of Negeri Sembilan's royal institution, Jalaluddin added.
"He had crossed the red line and took this matter lightly, as if there was no problem. This is a serious matter that should have been discussed together between (state) BN and Harapan leaderships.
"While it’s true that the menteri besar has the final say, the issue of state sovereignty and customary laws is not something that we can take lightly.
"But the menteri besar made a decision on his own, which impacted Umno and BN's image in Negeri Sembilan. Umno has principles, we have to defend the rights and image of our Malay rulers," he said.
‘Tebuk atap’
In his speech, the Pertang assemblyperson also refuted accusations that Negeri Sembilan Umno wanted to seize power from Harapan, or “tebuk atap”.
Jalaluddin said the 14 Umno assemblypersons, including four state exco members, have always supported Aminuddin's leadership and the state government policies since they formed a unity government in Negeri Sembilan.
"(After the state election), Umno has the largest number of seats among single parties. If I really wanted to 'tebuk atap', I would have done so then.
"But we respected the federal decision to form a unity government (in Negeri Sembilan) so we can ensure continuity to serve the rakyat.
"Did you ever hear all these while I tried to take over the power from (Aminuddin) the menteri besar? Or our exco members boycotting (the state government)?" he said. - Mkini
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