Umno vs Aminuddin: Principled stand or backdoor power grab?

 

 Media reported that Negeri Sembilan Umno/BN chairperson Jalaluddin Alias defended the decision to withdraw support for Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.

The Pertang assemblyperson and Jelebu MP stated that the decision by the 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno/BN elected representatives was taken to defend party principles and prevent political interference in matters related to the state’s royal and customary institutions.

He also argued that Umno’s withdrawal of support in Negeri Sembilan wasn’t “tebuk atap” because the party was already in power. In other words, based on his logic, it’s not “tebuk atap” if you’re already in the house.

Anyway, Jalaluddin is trying his best to frame this as a “principled withdrawal” due to the state’s constitutional/palace crisis, rather than a power grab.

With due respect, his logic faces a major hurdle, lest he forget that the original “tebuk atap” (Sheraton Move) happened while Bersatu was also a core part of the ruling government.

Perikatan Nasional leaders outside the Istana Negara after the Sheraton Move in 2020

By Jalaluddin’s logic, the Sheraton Move wasn’t “tebuk atap” either, since Bersatu was in the government at the time too.

Shfting blame

In the meantime, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claims that Negeri Sembilan Perikatan Nasional is trying to seize the opportunity following the state party chapter’s withdrawal of support for the menteri besar.

Based on media reports, the withdrawal was made on April 27, following a boycott of the state assembly by the Undang Yang Empat.

Jalaluddin said the decision was unanimously made by all 14 Umno assemblypersons due to a loss of confidence in Aminuddin’s leadership in handling the royal and customary dispute.

Immediately after, Negeri Sembilan PN then expressed its willingness to cooperate with Umno/BN, an offer the latter readily accepted.

It is hardly surprising to see Zahid attempt to spin and shift the blame onto PN for the impasse.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

However, his ancient rhetoric seems to overlook the fact that Umno was also a primary beneficiary and supporter of the 2020 Sheraton Move - a manoeuvre that dismantled the democratically elected Pakatan Harapan government and effectively disregarded the people’s mandate.

To our chagrin, Zahid conveniently forgets that it was Umno that fully endorsed the Sheraton Move, working from the inside to topple a government that held a clear electoral mandate.

One cannot claim to protect the mandate now after helping to bury it in 2020. Consistency matters! - Mkini

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MOHAMED HANIPA MAIDIN is a former deputy minister of law.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.