PETALING JAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will soon meet with Barisan Nasional assemblymen in Negri Sembilan to discuss the latest political developments in the state, says government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said Zahid had informed the Cabinet of his intention to hold the meeting in the near future, amid recent discussions about the position of Barisan assemblymen in Negri Sembilan.
“With regard to the position of Barisan state assemblymen in Negri Sembilan, the Deputy Prime Minister has informed the Cabinet that he will hold a meeting with these assemblymen soon,” Fahmi told reporters during his weekly briefing after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (April 29).
Fahmi added that the Cabinet was also briefed on the latest political and administrative developments in Negri Sembilan, and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had reaffirmed that the state government continues to function as usual.
“The Prime Minister has emphasised that the Negri Sembilan government is operating as usual, and the federal government will not interfere in matters related to adat (customary practices),” he said.
Fahmi also stressed that the unity government at both the federal and state levels, including in Negri Sembilan, remains stable and unaffected by recent developments.
“The Cabinet was also informed that the unity government at the federal and state levels—including in Negri Sembilan—remains unaffected and continues as usual,” he said.
Speculation over the stability of the Negri Sembilan state government arose after 14 Barisan Nasional and five Perikatan Nasional assemblymen withdrew support for the state government and called for an immediate special sitting of the state legislative assembly.
State Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaludin Alias said a meeting or dissolution was needed to resolve the political crisis in Negri Sembilan.
On April 28, Anwar said there would be no “dissolution” of the Negri Sembilan state assembly in the near future and that all assemblymen must abide by a royal decree for the state government to continue as it is.
The political turmoil began on April 19 when the four Undang decided to remove Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on grounds of misconduct. They did not specify the misconduct committed.
In response, the state’s Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), or council of elders, which includes the Ruler and Mentri Besar, decided to sack one of the four Undang.
Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun affirmed his support for the DKU’s decision, and as a result, the four Undang called for his removal as the state Menteri Besar.
