SEREMBAN: Maintaining that he is not disappointed for not being selected as mentri besar, Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said his election aim is not the post but for Barisan Nasional to return to power in Negri Sembilan.
“My intention for us to take over the administration has been achieved. What is there to be upset about?
“A big mandate has been given to Barisan. What ought to be celebrated is Barisan’s victory. I am grateful to the Almighty for this success.
“It doesn’t pain me not to be the mentri besar. Why should others feel the pain?” he said.
The Negri Sembilan Umno chief said that he was unable to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Datuk Ismail Lasim as the new Mentri Besar as he had received the invite late.
Explaining further his absence, Jalaluddin said he only received the invite to the event from the protocol unit at 4.50am on the morning of the swearing-in.
He only read the notice on his mobile phone after morning Subuh prayers.
He said he had also made prior arrangements to attend another programme on the morning of the swearing-in ceremony.
“It was a very last minute thing and I just could not attend. That is all to it,” he added.
Jalaluddin, 63, who was senior exco in the previous government, was widely tipped to be appointed to the post.
Ismail was sworn in as the ninth Mentri Besar before Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at 11am on Sunday.
The ceremony took place at the Istana Besar in Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah.
Jalaluddin, who successfully defended his Pertang seat, was conspicuously missing and this led to talk that he had deliberately boycotted the event.
He said what was more important now was for Barisan to realise the pledges made in its election manifesto.
“We can now administer Negri Sembilan well after receiving a two-thirds mandate from the people.
“So, our responsibility now as the mentri besar, excos and assemblymen is to ensure we fulfil our pledges to the people,” he said.
The performance of the new government should be better than the previous one, he added.
On exco appointments, Jalaluddin said that is the prerogative of the mentri besar, adding that he will not be offering himself for the post.
“I am not crazy for power and posts. I am not new to politics. There is still a lot to be done and weaknesses to be rectified,” he said.
