SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan Barisan Nasional claims it has obtained a simple majority to form the state government following a decision by Perikatan Nasional to support it.
Barisan holds 14 of the state’s 36 state seats while Perikatan has five. Pakatan Harapan has the remaining 17.
“With the five Perikatan assemblymen indicating their support for us, we have the simple majority to form the state government,” the state Barisan said in a statement.
The party also expressed its gratitude to the Perikatan assemblymen to help resolve the political crisis in the state.
Barisan said it also appreciated Perikatan’s willingness to work together to ensure the state administration could continue to function.
“In this unusual situation, the interest of the rakyat is priority.
“We are prepared to set aside our ideological differences so that we can have a stable government,” they said, adding it remained inclusive in its approach.
Barisan said with the majority of assemblymen pledging to work together, it will provide a new and stronger narrative to develop the state and safeguard the Adat institution.
Earlier, the state Barisan Nasional had withdrawn support for the Negri Sembilan government led by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, leaving him with only 17 seats in the 36-seat assembly.
State Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias had said all 14 Umno assemblymen have lost confidence in Aminuddin’s leadership over how the Negri Sembilan’s royal crisis was handled.
“We hereby withdraw our support for Aminuddin,” he said in a statement.
At a press conference later, Jalaluddin said that as a political party that highly respects customs (adat) and the constitution, Barisan will never get involved in such matters.
“The Mentri Besar should have used his wisdom in handling this crisis.
“This crisis will affect the state administration. Indirectly, it will have a deep impact on the stability and harmony of the state,” he said.
All Barisan assemblymen except Rantau’s Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan were present. Mohamad, who is also Foreign Minister, is away attending an official event.
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.
They advised the state government to defer the opening until a new state Ruler is proclaimed.
Tuanku Muhriz, however, told the august hall that the absence of state dignitaries would not affect the legitimacy of the session.
