N Sembilan crisis: Will Harapan back a BN MB to keep Madani intact, or will Umno pick PN?

 

The Negeri Sembilan state government has lost its majority in the state legislature after 14 BN assemblypersons withdrew support from Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who is from Pakatan Harapan.

Nineteen seats are needed for a simple majority in the 36-seat legislature, and Harapan has only 17.

Two possible scenarios may play out.

The first is that BN may compel Harapan to support one of the former’s assemblypersons to become menteri besar and keep the Madani pact intact.

This is the more likely scenario, as BN will have significant leverage over Harapan.

If Harapan does not back BN to take over the Negeri Sembilan state government, it could have a domino effect in Perak and Pahang - where the two coalitions share power - and even in Putrajaya.

Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly

While Harapan supremo Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is believed to be eyeing snap federal elections soon, it is likely that he would want to have BN by his side to boost Malay support for his coalition.

However, should Harapan refuse to back BN, the likely second scenario is that the Umno-led coalition will choose to partner with Perikatan Nasional, which has five state seats in Negeri Sembilan.

A vocal camp within Umno has been pushing for cooperation with PN in the name of Malay unity, with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi establishing a “grand collaboration” in response.

PN is expected to hold a press conference this afternoon, and speculation is rife that a BN partnership is on the cards. - Mkini