SEREMBAN: Talk of the impending dissolution of the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly saw Pakatan Harapan assemblymen and party leaders gathering for a “special meeting” at the Mentri Besar’s official residence.
A total of 14 out of 17 assemblymen were seen arriving separately as early as 9.30am for the meeting, where it is believed they discussed political developments following the dissolution of the Johor assembly on Monday, among other matters.
It was learnt that state DAP chief and Chennah assemblyman Anthony Loke, Rahang assemblyman Desmond Siau and Klawang assemblyman Datuk Bakri Sawir were absent.
Media personnel, who had camped outside the Mentri Besar’s residence, were later informed via WhatsApp by an aide that no press conference would be held after the meeting.
“The Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun) will have a routine audience with the state Ruler (Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir) tomorrow (today) before chairing the state exco meeting.
“We will let the media know if there will be the usual press conference after the state exco meeting,” the message read.
The last state election was held on Aug 12, 2023.
Pakatan won 17 seats, followed by Barisan Nasional (14) and Perikatan Nasional (five).
Talk of a state election in Negri Sembilan gained traction following the dissolution of the Johor assembly.
On May 17, Loke, while addressing the Pakatan national convention, had said the coalition was prepared to dissolve the Negri Sembilan state assembly a day after Johor dissolved its state assembly.
Ties between Barisan and Pakatan in Negri Sembilan recently soured following a move by 14 assemblymen from the former coalition to withdraw their support for Aminuddin on April 26.
They claimed that Aminuddin had failed to manage a crisis involving the state’s royal institution and the ruling chiefs (Undang).
Subsequently, the three-day sitting of the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly, which was scheduled to begin on April 27, was postponed.
On May 22, state Barisan chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan urged Aminuddin to convene the legislative assembly to determine whether he still commanded majority support.
In response, Loke was reported to have said that it would be better to dissolve the state assembly than have the Mentri Besar removed through a vote of no confidence.
