PETALING JAYA: Both leadership councils of Umno and Pakatan Harapan have unanimously agreed to maintain the unity government framework in Negri Sembilan.
Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said this was in the interest of state stability and the well-being of the people.
“The council also agreed that any decision by the Negri Sembilan state government that could trigger sensitivities or open the space for disputes must be immediately referred to the Umno-Pakatan leadership consultative council,” they said in a joint statement on Tuesday (May 5).
In the same statement, they said the council also respected the stance taken by both political bureaus in relation to developments in Negri Sembilan.
The council meeting was jointly chaired by Pakatan chairman and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president and Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
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The turmoil in Negri Sembilan began when Undang of Sungei Ujong, Datuk Mubarak Dohak read a declaration removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar on grounds of misconduct.
The declaration was also signed by the three other ruling chiefs – Jelebu Undang Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Johol Undang Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Rembau Undang Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin.
The four unanimously named the Tunku Panglima of Negri Sembilan, Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar, as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
On April 20, Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the state government refused to accept or recognise the declaration as Mubarak no longer had the authority after being removed as Sungei Ujong Undang on May 13 last year.
Mubarak's removal, he claimed, was due to 33 offences related to traditions and customary laws and was carried out in accordance with Article 14(3) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan.
The DKU, Aminuddin said, also agreed to advise and accept the recommendations of the Telaga Undang and Waris Klana Hulu Sg Ujong, who had agreed to remove Mubarak as Undang.
According to him, the DKU is the highest authority governing the four Undang or chieftains of Negri Sembilan.
The four Undang have since disputed this, and went on to say that Aminuddin was no longer fit to lead the state administration and should be replaced.
Following this, 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen in the Negri Sembilan state assembly retracted support for the state unity government.
Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has since said their decision was made independently.
He later reaffirmed Umno’s commitment to remain in the Negri Sembilan unity government, saying that any decision on a possible change of Mentri Besar will be made by Pakatan Harapan.
