28/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 28, 2026

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Negeri in turmoil as 14 Umno reps withdraw support for MB

State Unity govt in the balance following BN’s shock exit PETALING JAYA: Political tensions escalated yesterday after all 14 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan withdrew their backing for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, throwing the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led state government into doubt. PH currently holds 17 seats in the 36-member assembly, two short of a simple majority. BN controls 14 seats while Perikatan Nasional (PN) has five, giving a potential BN-PN alliance 19 seats. PN has already signalled readiness to cooperate with BN, while PH leaders accused BN of undermining the Unity government pact. In a statement, Negeri Sembilan PN said its five representatives were prepared to work with BN to ensure stability. “We have been following the leadership crisis in Negeri Sembilan closely and are ready to cooperate for continuity,” the statement read. BN’s central leadership has yet to take a definitive position. Secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said he would consult BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi before issuing an official response. On the PH side, PKR strategy director Sim Tze Tzin urged BN to honour the Unity government agreement. “The pact was meant to ensure stability until the end of the term. BN should respect this commitment for the people’s welfare,” he said in an Instagram post. Pandan MP and former Economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli struck a more personal note, saying he had spoken to Aminuddin earlier in the day. Rafizi shared that Aminuddin sounded upbeat after visiting schools, adding: “I am not worried because Tok Min (Aminuddin) is a good person. Far better than me. Rank and position are only temporary trusts.” Amanah Youth exco member Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda was more critical, calling BN’s move irresponsible and a betrayal of voters. He suggested PH should reconsider its cooperation with Umno at both state and federal levels if BN opts to align with PN. Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh defended BN’s stance, saying the party would not compromise on its principles even at the risk of losing power. “We will not remain silent if the sovereignty of the rulers is challenged. This principle must be defended at all costs,” he said. PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari welcomed BN’s withdrawal, congratulating Negeri Sembilan Umno and describing it as the beginning of “penyatuan tolak PH” (unity to reject PH). Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan responded in a pantun -style post on X, expressing hope that the crisis would be resolved peacefully. Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com user said. Others questioned the timing of the political upheaval. Polyanalyne said leaders should avoid fuelling uncertainty amid mounting global pressures. “Can they not pull this kind of move during a global crisis?” the user said. In the replies, RaggenZZ expressed fatigue over recurring instability, while wafflesology said such developments were no longer surprising given the country’s experience of frequent leadership changes during the Covid-19 period. The online discourse underscores growing public unease over the potential impact of the crisis on state administration and broader political stability. – BY FAIZ RUZMAN

o Move taken in interest of restoring stability in state administration, says state Umno chief

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Negeri Sembilan’s political landscape was thrown into turmoil yesterday after all 14 Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen formally withdrew their support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, declaring they no longer have confidence in his leadership – a move that has now opened the door to a possible new governing realignment. State Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias confirmed the collective decision, saying formal notices would be submitted to the State Legislative Assembly speaker and secretary immediately, while stressing that the move was taken in the interest of restoring stability to the state administration. “We are calling for a stable government so that the state administration can function effectively and remain focused on strengthening the economy and improving the well-being of the people,” he said at a press conference in Seremban. Jalaluddin, who is also Jelebu MP and Pertang assemblyman, said Umno and BN remained committed to upholding the state’s constitutional framework and respecting its customary institutions under the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959. He said the party was aware of growing tensions linked to customary and constitutional matters, expressing regret over how the situation had escalated. “However, BN Umno representatives in the state executive council were not briefed on any discussions at government level and only became aware of the issue once it had become public,” he said, adding that the menteri besar should have exercised stronger leadership in managing the crisis. The development comes amid an ongoing political impasse that has already disrupted the state administration, including the postponement of the State Legislative Assembly sitting without a new date being fixed. In a parallel development, Perikatan Nasional (PN) signalled it is prepared to work with the BN bloc of 14 assemblymen, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the state assembly. Opposition leader Hanifah Abu Baker said PN’s priority was to ensure political stability

proximity to Selangor and its integration with the central region’s development. “Negeri Sembilan is not a small, less important state, at least not in the context of Malaysian politics. Its close proximity to Selangor and its deep connection with Selangor’s development qualifies the state as one of the second frontline states,” the user said, adding that it has long figured prominently in national political calculations as a traditional Umno stronghold. User jutamind, meanwhile, called for a fresh mandate to resolve the impasse. “Why not call for a state election and let the people decide? After all, GE16 might not be too far away, according to some news outlets,” the with BN assemblymen to restore stability and ensure continuity in governance, with emphasis on development and public welfare. BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the matter would be brought to the coalition’s top leadership for discussion before any formal position on the state government is announced. In a statement issued late yesterday, state Umno and BN reps declared it has a simple majority to form the Negeri Sembilan state government.

disappointing. I hope they do not touch all these investments. Negeri Sembilan has so much potential,” the user said. In response, OriMoriNotSori urged leaders not to overlook longstanding infrastructure issues, highlighting persistent congestion along the PLUS Highway near Seremban and Senawang. “Can you all lobby your leaders to fix the PLUS Highway jams at Seremban southbound and Senawang northbound? The congestion is annoying and predictable, but it never seems to get fixed,” the user said. Another contributor, MarsIsMyOnahole, rejected the notion that Negeri Sembilan is politically insignificant, pointing to its strategic and safeguard public interests amid the escalating crisis. In a statement, PN’s five state assemblymen said they had been monitoring the situation over recent weeks and described the current impasse as having “crippled the administration”. “This reflects that Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has failed to manage this crisis responsibly in the best interests of the people of Negeri Sembilan,” the statement said. The PN bloc added it was ready to engage

Deepening crisis triggers online discourse PETALING JAYA: Mounting political uncertainty in Negeri Sembilan has triggered a wave of concern and frustration online, with Reddit users warning of potential fallout on investment confidence, infrastructure and governance stability.

The reactions followed a discussion thread by user abdulsamri89, which drew widespread engagement over the implications of the unfolding crisis. User kugelamarant, who identified as a Negeri Sembilan resident, voiced disappointment over the situation, stressing the state’s untapped potential and the need to safeguard ongoing investments. “Speaking as a fellow Negrian, this is