SEREMBAN: The final decision to appoint two Pakatan Harapan members as senators from Negri Sembilan was made by the unity government's top leaders, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said his administration would always refer such matters to the top leadership to decide.
"I did not decide which two members would get the senatorships (from Negri).
"That decision was made jointly by (Pakatan chairman) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and (Barisan Nasional chairman) Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid," he told reporters on Thursday (Dec 11) when met after the conclusion of the state assembly sitting.
Aminuddin, who is also the state Pakatan chairman, was responding to a statement by state Barisan chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who said that both sides should have been given one post each to reflect the spirit of cooperation practiced by the unity government at the federal level.
Mohamad hoped that this would not happen again, as partners in the unity government must be respectful of one another.
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In August, the state assembly passed a resolution to nominate PKR's Dr Jufitri Joha and DAP's Datuk Wu Him Ven as senators representing the state.
Jufitri, 46, is Rembau PKR chief, while Wu is a DAP central executive committee member.
Aminuddin said the state Pakatan and Barisan assemblymen had also voted in support of the resolution.
"Again, that decision to nominate the duo was not made by me or Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (the state Umno chief) but by the top leaders," he said.
He said the state administration was prepared to consider appointing a member from Barisan in the future, as suggested by Mohamad.
"We are prepared to consider this when there is another vacancy," he said.
Aminuddin said the cooperation between Pakatan and Harapan at the state level was also good, and they have been able to carry out many programmes together for the people's benefit.
"I must admit that it was awkward at the beginning, but after three years now, we have mutual respect for one another.
"In fact, both Umno and DAP also have very good ties and as MB, I am extremely happy about this," he added.
