Jalaluddin slammed for eyeing MB post after NS state gov’t collapses, living up to UMNO’s DNA

 

DETRACTORS have accused Negeri Sembilan (NS) UMNO chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias of being power crazy to the extent of willing to betray the spirit of the unity alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) merely to form yet another backdoor government reminiscent of Sheraton Move during the COVID-19 era.

The Jelebu MP who is also the Pertang state assemblyman was also reminded how most of UMNO’s 14 state representatives had won the 2023 state poll by “slim margins” thanks to the PH election machinery given UMNO has virtually been rejected by NS folks.

Such was the reaction that flooded Jalaluddin’s Facebook page after he unveiled in a media statement that the state UMNO “has already obtained a simple majority to form the next NS state government”.

This follows the party having secured the support of five Perikatan Nasional (PN) state assemblymen to obtain the minimum 19 seats in the 36-seat NS state assembly (PH has only 17 seats).

Editor’s Note: UMNO president Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has taken a cautious approach to the NS political crisis by stating that the decision by 14 BN assemblymen to withdraw support of the MB was made by the state chapter independently with the central leadership made aware of the move “in a very short period”.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman then accused Perikatan Nasional (PN) of trying to capitalise on the crisis by offering to form a new government with BN, calling it an attempt to “seize this opportunity” although critics ridiculed him for feigning ignorance.

Above all else, the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) stressed that he will meet with PMX Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the situation and its impact on the Federal “unity government”.

Meanwhile, PMX has kept mun on the matter by merely stating that an announcement would come in due course while Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun in a media conference has pledged to stay on as MB of a “minority state government” as per the decree of NS Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Jalaluddin who is also a senior state EXCO was also lambasted for leveraging the lame excuse of “supporting the adat (customs)”, notably upholding the Adat Perpatih by respecting the traditional power of the Undang Yang Empat (four territorial chieftains) in electing and overseeing the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

This is effectively taking advantage of MB Aminuddin’s embroilment in the adat dispute whereby he contended that the action by Undang Datuk Mubarak Dohak in signing and reading a declaration to remove the NS ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir is not recognised and cannot be accepted.

Aminuddin who is also the PKR vice-president claimed that the declaration has no legal or customary standing because Mubarak no longer holds any authority or position as Undang Luak Sungai Ujong and that the act itself is also inconsistent with Articles 10 to 12 of the NS Constitution (UUTKNS) 1959. 

As some pro-Madani commenters put it, Jalaluddin who is currently holding two ECXO portfolios – Rural Development, Plantations and Commodities as well as Agriculture, Food Security and Cost of Living – is himself “eyeing the MB post”.

One pressing question now is “where can the swearing-in ceremony be held after having craved for the MB post” given the NS ruler is siding MB Aminuddin in the unfolding political crisis.

As one presumably ex-PKR member aptly summed up, the “opportunistic backstabbing in NS wouldn’t have happened unless that opportunity gets the green light from the top (UMNO) leadership”.

“I don’t blame UMNO. That’s their DNA from way back,” jibed Amer Hamzah (@amer7211) who is a backer of former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli. 

JohorElection Coverage

“The fools are the ones who blindly hand over trust to them. Even parading the ‘best strategist’ (in reference to Zahid) just to make UMNO feel good. You’re done for! ” –  Focus Malaysia