Turbulent tenure expected for new Negeri Sembilan MB

 Several reps missed Ismail Lasim’s swearing-in, and a Wawasan leader has warned that the new MB’s position hinges on the support of the other 24 BN and PN assemblymen.

Seven-term assemblyman Ismail Lasim was sworn in as Negeri Sembilan menteri besar on Sunday, but several assemblymen missed the ceremony, including state Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Newly appointed Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Ismail Lasim is likely to have a difficult time leading the state government, with an analyst anticipating moves within Umno to undermine the political veteran’s position.

Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan said the fact that several Umno assemblymen failed to show up for his swearing-in signalled the risk of some internal power-grabbing stemming from the unexpected nature of Ismail’s appointment.

Azmi pointed out that many did not see Ismail as one of the frontrunners for the menteri besar’s post despite his many decades of experience in governance.

“His name was never mentioned in discussions on who was the ‘menteri besar designate’ for Barisan Nasional, in working with Perikatan Nasional.

“There’s no doubt Ismail will be facing a turbulent time as menteri besar. I’m sure the internal struggle will continue after this,” he told FMT.

Asia Group associate vice-president Asrul Sani said Ismail may not see instability just yet, though the Umno man does begin his tenure amid a fragile political arrangement.

Asrul said the need to manage optics before the next general election (GE16) means that the Juasseh assemblyman’s place at the helm is unlikely to be shaken so soon.

“Ismail was appointed by the Yang Dipertuan Besar, and any potential challenger would need to respect the ruler’s decision. Umno and PN also have a strong interest in showing voters that their new partnership can provide a stable government,” he said.

“Removing Ismail before the national polls would make Umno appear divided, thus undermining the wider argument for Malay political cooperation.

“Any serious leadership challenge is therefore more likely to emerge after the general election, when the national balance of power and the relationship between BN, PN and Pakatan Harapan becomes clearer.”

Asrul said a power grab similar to what transpired in Melaka in 2023 cannot be ruled out in the longer term.

The analyst was referring to the transition that saw Ab Rauf Yusoh succeed Sulaiman Ali as chief minister following years of speculation that the Melaka Umno chief was positioning himself to take over the post.

Ismail was sworn in as Negeri Sembilan menteri besar on Sunday, but state Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias was among several assemblymen who missed the ceremony.

Jalaluddin, who was previously tipped as a possible candidate for the top post, said he only received the invitation at 4.50am and had to attend another event.

This prompted DAP vice-chairman Syahredzan Johan to urge all parties to respect the Yang Dipertuan Besar’s authority to appoint the menteri besar according to his discretion.

However, Negeri Sembilan Wawasan chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin pointed out that despite being appointed by the state’s ruler, Ismail’s position was still dependent on the support of the other 24 BN and PN assemblymen.

BN won 18 seats in the Negeri Sembilan polls, while PN secured seven, giving them 25 seats altogether, or a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

Exco composition critical to weather the storm

Given the political climate, Azmi said Ismail’s selection of state executive council members would be critical to secure his position, given that he would require the backing of Umno, PAS and Wawasan assemblymen.

Asrul agreed, saying Ismail would need to manage the different factions within Umno while giving PN meaningful representation in the exco in order to placate all quarters.

Nevertheless, Azmi said, Ismail was a seasoned politician — having served as an assemblyman since 1999 and in the state government since 2004 — and he possesses the acumen to navigate these hurdles.

“I believe Ismail can weather this particular scenario, especially pressure coming from within Negeri Sembilan Umno itself.”

With BN holding only 18 seats — one short of a simple majority to form the government on its own — Azmi said Ismail may find backing from PH.

“If worse comes to worst, PH would back Ismail because the next candidate is likely Jalaluddin, who was the main reason why PH dissolved the state legislature and called for a snap election.”

On the other hand, Asrul expected that after GE16, PAS would throw its support behind the Umno leader most supportive of continuing the BN-PN partnership and accommodating the Islamic party’s priorities.

Jalaluddin could have the advantage here, he said, given the Negeri Sembilan Umno chief’s role in forming the BN-PN pact for the state polls. - FMT