State polls: Respect decision to let Umno contest Lenggeng, says Negri party chief

Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias. - Filepic/The Star

SEREMBAN: The decision to hand the Lenggeng seat to Umno was made by the unity government leadership and this should be respected by allies in the coalition, says Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.

The Negri Sembilan Umno chief said if Amanah, which won the Lenggeng seat in 2018, were to retaliate by contesting in the Barisan Nasional stronghold of Kota, it could work against the interests of both sides.

"Barisan had initially asked for two additional seats in Negri Sembilan and after a series of discussions, the unity government leadership agreed to give us one, which is Lenggeng.

"In the spirit of understanding and unity, let us all respect and uphold that decision," he said when met at Wisma Umno here on Saturday (July 22).

Jalaluddin said in politics, it was normal for parties to ask for additional seats and whatever decision made by the leadership must be respected.

"If they (Amanah) want to contest in Barisan-held seats, then this would put me in a dilemma as my supporters may also do the same," he said, adding that he was however confident that Amanah would not pursue the plan.

Earlier, state Amanah Youth had declared the party will field its candidate in Kota in the Aug 12 state polls following Umno's decision to contest the Lenggeng seat.

Its state vice-chief Ahmad Shukri Kamaruddin said the wing could not accept the fact that Umno had decided to contest in Lenggeng although Amanah won the seat in the 2018 polls.

"Amanah Youth has been forced to contest in Kota following pressure from the grassroots.

"This is to ensure Amanah continues to remain relevant in the state," he said in a statement.

Apart from the Lenggeng seat, Amanah also won the Paroi and Klawang seats in 2018.

On Friday night, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced Mohd Asna Amin as the party's candidate for Lenggeng.

This came despite repeated pleas from the state Amanah in recent days that the party be allowed to defend the seat.

Umno will also be fielding Suhaimi Aini in Kota.