Aminuddin Accepts Unity Gov't Decision To Maintain PH-BN Cooperation In N.Sembilan

SEREMBAN, May 6 (Bernama) -- Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has accepted the decision by the Unity Government Leadership Consultative Council between UMNO and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to maintain cooperation in the state.

He said he would continue to lead and carry out the mandate entrusted to him to ensure stability and the well-being of the people.

"I accept and abide by the decision and will carry out the responsibility…there is no issue," he told a press conference after chairing the State Executive Council meeting here today.

PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in a joint statement yesterday that the council also agreed that any decision by the Negeri Sembilan government that could trigger sensitivities or create discord must be immediately referred to the UMNO-PH Leadership Consultative Council.

The state’s administrative crisis erupted after all 14 UMNO and Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrew support for the state government led by Aminuddin, resulting in four vacancies in the State Executive Council.

However, Aminuddin has been retained to lead the state administration after receiving the consent of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Asked whether the vacant posts would be returned to UMNO, Aminuddin said the matter was not discussed at the political bureau meeting of both parties yesterday and that he would seek further guidance from the top leadership.

He added that several responsibilities would be redistributed among existing council members to ensure smooth administration.

Aminuddin said he also respected the stance of Perikatan Nasional (PN) representatives Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker (Labu assemblyman) and Ridzuan Ahmad (Gemas assemblyman), who remained neutral in the state’s political impasse in prioritising the interests of the state.

Negeri Sembilan has 36 State Legislative Assembly seats, with PH winning 17 seats, BN 14 seats and PN five seats in the 2023 state election. PH and BN formed the government after securing 31 seats following the polls.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin said his administration was preparing several matters, including working papers on new bills, before determining the date for the State Legislative Assembly sitting.

On the dispute involving the appointment of the new Undang of Sungei Ujong, Muhammad Faris Johari, he said the state government would not interfere as it involved customary matters.

Regarding the originating summons filed by Datuk Mubarak Thahak and five others against the secretary of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) Raja Norazli Raja Nordin, the DKU and the Negeri Sembilan government, Aminuddin said the matter would be left to the DKU for response and further action.

The media previously reported that Mubarak and five others had filed the summons to obtain minutes of the DKU special meeting held on April 17.

On preparations for a state election, Aminuddin, who is also Negeri Sembilan PH chairman, said the party machinery was being strengthened.

"Now is indeed the season for elections, in Melaka, Johor, Sarawak…we will also be prepared (if elections are called), we’re moving towards strengthening the party machinery. Preparations are currently at 60 to 70 per cent," he said.

-- BERNAMA