SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Barisan Nasional, whose 14 assemblymen have withdrawn support for the state government, is calling for an immediate special sitting of the state legislative assembly.
State Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said a meeting or dissolution was needed to resolve the political crisis in the state following the collapse of the unity government.
The special sitting could decide if Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun enjoyed majority support in the assembly, he said.
He cautioned that attempting to rule with a minority government would be unsustainable as such an administration would face constant scrutiny and challenges regarding state policies, budget approvals and other legislative matters.
The mandate has to be returned to the people, he said.
“It is my hope that they will not wait for six months (to call for a sitting).
“The Speaker should do this quickly to resolve the issue in the best possible way. The MB can no longer carry out his duties under the present circumstances, more so after crossing the red line by getting involved in the royal matters,” he said.
The 14 Barisan assemblymen withdrew their support due to what they claimed was failure on the Mentri Besar’s part to handle the royal crisis until it became a public debate. This they claimed had brought disrepute to the royal institution as well as the state government.
Aminuddin’s Pakatan Harapan government is now left with 17 seats in the 36-seat state assembly, two short of the majority.
The state Perikatan Nasional, with five assemblymen, has stated its intention to work together with Barisan, giving them a total of 19.
However, Aminuddin has said he had been told by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir to continue with his duties.
He said the Ruler had decreed that he continue as Mentri Besar until there was further clarity on the issue.
Jalaluddin, meanwhile, reiterated that Barisan decided to withdraw support for Aminuddin as he had failed to handle the royal crisis in the state.
“When we formed the unity government in the state, we agreed not to touch on issues which included the royal institution and Adat, the rights of the Malays and Islam.
“The Mentri Besar had crossed the line when he got involved in the issue between the state Ruler and the four Undang,” he said.
Jalaluddin said Aminuddin, instead of supporting Tuanku Muhriz, should have proposed the setting up of a special committee comprising experts on adat (customary laws) and the state constitution to resolve the matter.
He also said Barisan assemblymen was not trying to form a “back door government” as claimed by some.
He said since Barisan was already in the state government, the matter of a back door government did not arise.
“When we said we had lost confidence in the Mentri Besar, we received news that Perikatan Nasional was prepared to work with us.
“If there is any party, including from Pakatan who wants to work with us, we will accept,” he said, adding that this was only to ensure the situation in the state remained stable.
