KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will meet Pakatan Harapan’s leadership “as early as next week” to address issues surrounding Negri Sembilan, amid tensions over the state’s political direction, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (pic).
The Umno secretary-general said the meeting would follow a resolution of the party’s political bureau, which called for both sides to engage and resolve matters relating to policy and party positions.
“We will be meeting in the coming week,” he told reporters at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (May 3).
Asyraf said he had yet to receive a formal explanation from Umno Negri Sembilan leaders after remarks suggesting the state chapter was prepared to act as the opposition within the Negri Sembilan government.
“I have not received any clarification from them because, at the central level, the political bureau has already made a decision,” he said.
He stressed that the issue in Negri Sembilan must be addressed within the framework agreed by the parties in the unity government, particularly when handling disputes and misunderstandings.
“The most important thing is that, as stated in the political bureau’s resolution issued by the secretary-general’s office, one of the key decisions is for us to sit down with Pakatan Harapan’s political bureau in the near future to examine several matters involving the policies of both parties.
“What is happening in Negri Sembilan is related to questions of policy and the respective stances of the parties,” he said.
Asyraf added that any disagreement should be resolved through established mechanisms under the unity government arrangement, including the leadership consultative council.
“We must return to the agreement and understanding that formed the unity government.
“It clearly provides that when misunderstandings or disputes arise, we have a platform - the leadership consultative council - and that is what we will utilise,” he said.
When asked whether the upcoming meeting would determine the appointment of a new Menteri Besar, Asyraf said the matter was broader than any individual.
“There are many aspects that we must consider. That may be one of them, but I can say that the issue in Negri Sembilan is not merely about any individual.
“This concerns institutions. It also involves the sovereignty of the royal institution and customs that must be fully understood,” he added.
