SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan voters have been urged to use Saturday's snap election (Aug 1) as a referendum to roundly reject Barisan Nasional, said Parti Amanah Negara president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said that the state election, forced early after 14 Umno assemblymen withdrew support for caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, serves as a vital opportunity for voters to protest backdoor governments.
"This election should not be happening right now.
"It was triggered solely because Umno assemblymen withdrew their support from the state unity government and subsequently colluded with Perikatan Nasional in an attempt to seize power through the back door," he said on Thursday (July 30).
The last state election was held in Aug 2023.
Mohamad, who is also the Pakatan Harapan deputy chairman, stressed that attempting to engineer a "tebuk atap" (backdoor) administration directly violates democratic principles.
He said the electorate must send a definitive message that the people's mandate cannot be trifled with.
"Therefore, let us all send a clear message to politicians to always respect the mandate of the people.
"Do not allow them to mock and play around with the people's mandate ever again in the future," he said.
Amanah will be contesting nine seats in the state polls while its partners PKR will field 16 candidates and DAP 11.
Barisan and Perikatan, which have formed a political cooperation, will each contest 25 and 11 respectively.
Mohamad also appealed to voters to reject Barisan and Perikatan, alleging they used racial sentiments as their campaign capital.
He claimed that multi-racial Malaysians have lived in harmony and mutual respect since independence but unfortunately, racial sentiments have recently been exploited to secure votes.
Under Aminuddin's leadership, he said, the state has achieved remarkable progress, ensuring that public welfare is firmly protected while Islam continues to thrive.
"So come out and vote in large numbers on Saturday.
"Make your choice based on knowledge, not slander, as Negri Sembilan deserves a leadership that is trustworthy, stable, and one that always puts the people first," he added.
