SEREMBAN: Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun will continue to serve as Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar for now despite 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrawing their support for him on Monday (April 27).
Aminuddin, in his second term, said he had received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir to continue carrying out his duties.
"I have conveyed the latest development related to the support of assemblymen for the state government to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
"After reasonable consideration, His Royal Highness has advised me and decreed that I continue my responsibilities as Mentri Besar until there is further clarity on this issue, in line with the law of the state," he told a press conference on Monday (April 27).
He said the state government will continue to function as usual, as there was no need to dissolve the state assembly at this point.
Also present at the media conference held at his official residence were state DAP chief Anthony Loke and Amanah chief Datuk MK Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.
This comes after 14 Umno assemblymen retracted their support for his government earlier today, following which the five Perikatan Nasional state representatives expressed their willingness to work with Barisan Nasional.
Aminuddin said he was shocked by Barisan's decision to withdraw support for him and his government, as four state executive councillors had approached him asking for the state assembly sitting to be postponed.
"That was the request from Barisan Nasional. We agreed and postponed it," he said.
He said that if Barisan planned to retract support, it could have moved a no-confidence vote against him in the state assembly instead of calling for a postponement of the sitting.
However, Aminuddin said he would accept any decision on his future when the state assembly reconvenes.
He said there are also no plans to meet Umno at this juncture, while the matter has also been relayed to the central leadership of Pakatan Harapan.
Barisan has 14 seats in the Negri Sembilan state assembly, while Pakatan Harapan has 17 and Perikatan Nasional has five.
Aminuddin said the state government would continue to function as usual and in accordance with the relevant laws to ensure programmes for the people are carried out.
He said that although Perikatan Nasional, which has five assemblymen in the state, was prepared to work with Barisan, his minority government could still run the state for now.
Asked about claims that Umno was upset with him for failing to discuss the state royal crisis with them, Aminuddin said the matter was decided by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang.
"In fact, whatever was discussed in the DKU was never brought to the state exco meeting to be discussed," he said.
Asked if the four Umno excos would be dropped, Aminuddin said since they had withdrawn support for him and the state government, their positions would become vacant.
"On our part, we will continue to function as normal for now," he said, adding that central leaders have been briefed.
