KUALA LUMPUR: The decision made by the 14 Negri Sembilan Umno assemblymen to retract their support for the state government was made independently, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In a meeting with chief editors at the World Trade Centre on Monday (April 27), the Deputy Prime Minister said he was informed of the decision after it was made.
However, the Umno president said the party would respect and abide by the decision made by the state leaders and assemblymen.
Ahmad Zahid’s clarification came after he was asked to comment on the decision by the 14 reps, who announced on Monday that they had lost confidence in Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and would withdraw their support for the state government.
“I was informed when the Menteri Besar of Negri Sembilan issued a statement regarding the customary institutions and the state constitution of Negri Sembilan.
“We are aware of what they planned and announced. However, within Umno’s system, we respect and accommodate decisions made by the respective state liaison bodies and state assembly representatives,” said Ahmad Zahid.
Regarding the offer from the five Perikatan state assemblymen to join hands to form a new state government, Ahmad Zahid said the five were merely “opportunists”.
“The developments in Negri Sembilan are an issue within the state itself. We must distinguish between the customary system within the Negri Sembilan framework and the decisions made by the members of the Negri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly; those decisions are theirs alone.
“The leadership of Umno and Barisan Nasional at the national level will examine the decisions the Umno state assemblymen have made and observe the political implications that are expected to arise from those decisions,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid added that he would meet the state Umno representatives as soon as possible.
“This matter will be referred and brought to the Umno political bureau,” he added.
He also said that he and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the PKR President, may meet to discuss the issue.
Barisan has 14 seats in the Negri Sembilan state assembly, while Pakatan Harapan has 17 and Perikatan Nasional has five.
The state royal crisis started on April 19 when the four Undang decided to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on grounds of misconduct.
The four are the Undang of Sungei Ujong Datuk Mubarak Dohak, Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin.
