SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has not ruled out the possibility of the state election being held this year, although the matter is still under consideration.
The Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said the possibility of holding the election simultaneously with neighbouring states Melaka and Johor would also be looked into.
"The possibility is there (for a state election). In politics, anything is possible. Maybe this year or next year, Insya-Allah.
"We will see when our neighbouring states (Melaka and Johor) hold their elections, and perhaps we can hold them simultaneously. That will be considered,” he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting at Wisma Negeri here on Wednesday (May 20).
On the upcoming state legislative assembly sitting, Aminuddin said the state government was currently studying suitable dates as the current assembly term only ends on Oct 24.
"The state government is looking at a suitable date to convene the sitting... There are about six months left. If no sitting is held by (Oct 24), the assembly will dissolve automatically,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked whether Negeri Sembilan PH would contest solo without Barisan Nasional (BN), he stressed that the decision rested with the central leadership.
He said that although there were strong views within the state PH for the coalition to go solo, the current political landscape could change according to circumstances, and cooperation between parties could still be revived in the future.
In the 15th state election held on Aug 12, 2023, BN won 14 seats, PH secured 17 seats, while Perikatan Nasional won five seats.
In another development, Aminuddin said he is currently assuming the duties of the state executive councillor for Rural Development, Plantations and Commodities; Agriculture, Food Security and Cost of Living; as well as Education, following the vacancy of the BN-held exco positions.
The Youth and Sports portfolio is being overseen by Nicole Tan, while the Heritage and Technology portfolio is being handled by Datuk Noor Zunita Begum Mohd Ibrahim and the Innovation and Digital portfolio by J. Arul Kumar.
Last month, 14 BN assemblymen stated that they had withdrawn their support and had lost confidence in Aminuddin, resulting in four state executive councillor positions held by the coalition becoming vacant. – Bernama
