KUALA LUMPUR: Taking full responsibility for the recent political crisis, Negri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the party is ready to be the opposition in the state.
“I take full responsibility for this crisis. As the state chairman, I am responsible for ensuring that Umno remains on a dominant path,” he said.
Jalaluddin said assuming the role of the opposition is part of Negri Sembilan Umno’s commitment to accountability rather than political interests.
“Rather than remain in the state government, we are willing to be in the opposition to scrutinise mistakes made by the Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun),” he said at Umno’s 80th anniversary celebration.
Jalaluddin said that he had found himself in a difficult position trying to defend the state administration over the crisis involving adat (customary) matters.
He maintained that there was never any attempt to overthrow the state administration.
He pointed to the numbers held by each party within the unity government in Negri Sembilan – Umno (14), PKR (five), DAP (11) and one seat by Amanah.
“As a single party (coalition), we won big, so if we wanted to take over the government, we could have done so then.
“Instead, we respected the party leadership decision to form a unity government in the interest of stability and service to the people,” he added.
Jalaluddin described the situation as an “extraordinary crisis” that must not be allowed to escalate further.
“This is not about politics, power or individuals. It is about the fundamental duties of a Mentri Besar. We cannot allow this crisis to escalate into a wider crisis in Negri Sembilan,” he said.
On the question of who would be the next Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar, Jalaluddin said the appointment rests with the Barisan Nasional–Pakatan Harapan leadership, not the state Umno.
At the same event, Umno youth chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh has challenged allies within Pakatan to dismiss all Umno representatives from government positions if they are serious about confronting the party.
He said recent calls by Pakatan-linked leaders to remove specific Umno figures suggested the party was being treated as if it could be pressured, directed and selectively punished.
“Umno can lose seats, Umno can lose positions. Umno can be pressured by friends and foes, but the party will never allow its principles to be pawned,” he said.
