SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan legislative assembly will be dissolved on Friday (June 5) to pave the way for snap polls.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the state ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, has given his consent to dissolve the assembly during an audience at Istana Hinggap at 8.30pm on Thursday (June 4).
Aminuddin told this to reporters at a hastily arranged press conference at his official residence at 11.30pm.
He said the PKR, DAP and Amanah have also discussed seat allocations.
"I can say we have almost finalised that. We will be contesting all 36 seats," he said.
He added that the seat allocation will be finalised next week.
Talk of the 36-member state assembly being dissolved has been making the rounds since the beginning of the week.
It is understood that PKR will contest 16, DAP (11) and Amanah (nine).
The speculation gained momentum on Wednesday (June 3) when Aminuddin sought an audience with state ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir early in the morning and then again in the afternoon.
It is understood that the morning session, which was a routine weekly pre-exco briefing, took almost two hours.
Aminuddin, who is currently serving his second term as MB, had also cancelled the weekly media conference at the eleventh hour on Wednesday (June 3)
He also declined to speak to reporters after he returned to office.
On Tuesday (June 2), Pakatan assemblymen and state party leaders had gathered for a special meeting at the Mentri Besar's official residence following talk of the impending dissolution.
The last state polls were held on Aug 12, 2023.
Pakatan won 17 seats, followed by Barisan Nasional (14) and Perikatan Nasional (five).
Talk of snap polls began making its rounds at the end of April after the 14 Barisan assemblymen from Umno withdrew support for Aminuddin’s government.
They had claimed to have been left with no other option but to declare a loss of confidence as the Mentri Besar had failed to handle the state royal crisis.
However, state ruler Tuanku Muhriz then decreed that Aminuddin continue with his duties until there was further clarity on the issue.
On May 5, Umno and Pakatan Harapan leadership unanimously agreed to maintain the unity government framework in Negri Sembilan.
However, the 14 assemblymen maintained their stand not to support Aminuddin's leadership.
Loke had also said the best option was to dissolve the assembly as the move by the Barisan assemblymen had caused political cooperation in the unity government to become untenable.
