KUALA LUMPUR: A meeting between Umno and Pakatan Harapan should be held immediately to resolve issues surrounding the Negri Sembilan administration crisis, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The Umno secretary-general said the party’s political bureau, which met on Wednesday (April 29), agreed that an urgent discussion was needed to address matters involving the principles and positions of both sides.
He said the move was in line with Clause 5(c) of the unity government memorandum of understanding, which requires disputes on policy to be resolved through a consultative council.
“As such, an immediate meeting between Umno and Pakatan’s political bureau must be held to unravel several issues involving the respective principles of each party,” he said in a statement.
Asyraf Wajdi said Umno remained steadfast in upholding its constitution, particularly Clause 3.1, which emphasises the defence of the Malay Rulers institution as a pillar of national sovereignty.
He added that the party viewed seriously the recent developments involving the royal institution and adat in Negri Sembilan, which had sparked major polemics and misunderstandings among component parties in the state unity government.
He said Negri Sembilan Umno chief also gave a comprehensive explanation during the Wednesday meeting regarding the actions of Barisan Nasional assemblymen who have lost confidence in the Mentri Besar.
Asyraf Wajdi added that the loss of confidence stemmed from allegations that the Mentri Besar had sidelined the state’s adat institutions and the Negri Sembilan constitution.
Despite this, he said Umno respected the stance taken by Barisan assemblymen who continued to withhold their confidence in the Mentri Besar while maintaining support for the unity government.
“This is to ensure that stability and the wellbeing of the people in Negri Sembilan are preserved,” he said.
The state's administrative crisis was triggered when all 14 Umno and Barisan assemblymen in Negri Sembilan unanimously declared a loss of confidence and withdrew their support for the state government led by Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun following a leadership conflict.
However, Aminuddin was given the mandate to continue leading the state administration after receiving the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, on Monday (April 27).
Negri Sembilan has 36 state seats, and out of that total, Pakatan won 17 seats, Barisan controlled 14 seats, while Perikatan Nasional won five seats in the 15th state election in 2023.
Pakatan and Barisan formed the government by controlling 31 state seats after the 15th state election.
