SEREMBAN: Several Barisan Nasional assemblymen have dismissed claims that Pakatan Harapan will be included in the Negri Sembilan state executive council, describing the allegations as baseless and aimed at driving a wedge between Barisan and Perikatan Nasional.
Linggi assemblyman Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli said there had been no discussions on appointing Pakatan representatives to the exco since Barisan and Perikatan successfully formed the state government after the recent state election, reported Sinar Harian.
"Barisan and Perikatan worked together in the state election and have now formed the government. Why would Pakatan suddenly be involved in the exco appointments?
"As of today, I have not heard of any discussion on the matter. The claim is clearly baseless," he said on Wednesday (Aug 5).
Mohd Faizal said the allegations were intended to undermine public confidence in the new state government, which commands a two-thirds majority.
"The voters have rejected Pakatan. Stories like this are only meant to stir public anger against the government," he said.
Lenggeng assemblyman Datuk Mohd Asna Amin said including Pakatan in the exco would betray the mandate given by voters.
"We campaigned on the blue wave against the red wave.
"If we join hands with them after winning, the people will lose confidence in us," he said.
He urged all parties to stop politicising the issue and give newly appointed Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim space to govern the state and fulfil the coalition's election manifesto.
Mohd Asna also dismissed claims by former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Mohd Rais Yatim that there had been outside interference in the appointment of the Mentri Besar.
He said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had never interfered with the Negri Sembilan royal institution or its customs and had acted in accordance with the law.
Johol assemblyman Datuk Saiful Yazan Sulaiman also rejected the allegations, saying Barisan assemblymen would have been consulted if there had been any proposal to include Pakatan in the state administration.
"If such a move was really being considered, we, as Barisan assemblymen who won the state election, would certainly have been informed.
"But the matter has never been discussed," he said.
Saiful Yazan urged all parties to allow Ismail to carry out his responsibilities, saying the people of Negri Sembilan had made their choice and attention should now be focused on developing the state rather than prolonging political disputes.
Speculation had surfaced that Pakatan assemblymen could be included in the state administration under Ismail's leadership.
However, Ismail said on Tuesday that he had not received any information regarding the claims.
