We’re ready to go solo, NS Umno man says after PH attack

 Negeri Sembilan Umno Youth chief Fadil Zin claims the last time PH-BN leaders in the state met was in July 2023, before the last state election.

Negeri Sembilan Umno Youth chief Fadil Zin said the state chapter was more comfortable breaking ties with PH and contesting the next polls by itself. (Umno pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Negeri Sembilan Umno is ready to go solo in the next state election, especially after some Pakatan Harapan leaders openly attacked Barisan Nasional at a mega ceramah last night.

Negeri Sembilan Umno Youth chief Fadil Zin said the state chapter was more comfortable breaking ties with PH and contesting the polls by itself, claiming this has been the practice in the past few years.

“To my knowledge, the last time Negeri Sembilan PH and BN leaders met was in July 2023, before the 15th state election,” he told FMT.

“(Going solo) allows us to decide on our workflow without being tied down by other parties, especially in areas that we’re both eyeing.”

Fadil nonetheless said the state chapter would abide by whatever decision the top Umno leadership makes on its relationship with PH.

On Sunday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it was highly likely that the coalition would contest the 16th general election on its own, albeit with pacts reached with other parties to avoid multi-cornered contests.

The 36-member Negeri Sembilan assembly currently comprises 17 from PH, 14 from BN, and five from Perikatan Nasional.

Last week, BN assemblymen triggered a political crisis by withdrawing support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun and claiming to have the numbers to form a new state government with PN’s backing.

The crisis has apparently been resolved after talks between top PH and BN leaders, with Umno continuing to back the state government despite its state chapter insisting it has lost confidence in Aminuddin.

Yesterday, PH organised a mega ceramah in Paroi, Seremban, where a handful of component leaders took aim at Umno while some attendees broke out into chants of “Tolak Umno” (reject Umno).

Top leaders like Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, however, exercised more restraint in their speeches, simply stating support for Aminuddin and condemning any attempt to form backdoor governments.

In a video released earlier, Mohamad said the ceramah was held to clear the air on the crisis. - FMT