29/04/2026

WEDNESDAY | APR 29, 2026

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‘State government on shaky political footing’

than the situation in Negeri Sembilan. “In some states, PH has demanded an equal share of seats, which creates more tension compared with what is happening in Negeri Sembilan. Those negotiations are potentially more contentious.” He stressed that Umno’s political calculations are largely shaped by state-specific dynamics rather than a uniform national strategy. “What happens in Negeri Sembilan, Johor or Malacca does not necessarily translate into a broader national shift. Umno tends to make decisions based on state-specific considerations.” PH is governing Negeri Sembilan as a minority administration, holding 17 of the 36 state seats following BN’s withdrawal of support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. BN controls 14 seats while PN, which has aligned itself with BN, holds five. PETALING JAYA: PAS has thrown its support behind Umno for the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar post, arguing that the move is necessary to uphold majority rule and avert a hung state assembly after Barisan Nasional (BN) withdrew support for the incumbent administration. Its deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party’s stance is driven by the need to ensure political stability amid uncertainty over the government’s command of the majority. “Once Umno withdraws its backing, the government effectively loses its majority. In such a situation, a new administration must be formed based on those who command the numbers.” He said PAS’s backing for an Umno candidate is not based on partisan alignment but on the parliamentary convention that the leader with majority support should form the government. “At this juncture, our priority is to prevent a constitutional deadlock and the possibility of a hung assembly. Stability must come first.” He claimed that Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun of Pakatan Harapan (PH) had made serious missteps, which justified calls for a change in leadership. Tuan Ibrahim urged State Assembly Speaker Datuk M.K. Ibrahim Abd Rahman to act decisively upon receiving formal notice of Umno’s withdrawal of support. “Ibrahim, having received the letters indicating withdrawal of confidence, should declare that Aminuddin no longer commands the majority. Once that is established, the necessary constitutional steps must follow.” On Monday, 14 BN state assemblymen withdrew their support for the PH-led government headed by Aminuddin, who is also PKR vice-president. Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the decision was unanimous, citing a leadership crisis involving the traditional chieftains. The PH-led administration now holds 17 of the 36 seats in the state assembly, two short of the 19-seat simple majority required to govern. – BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE PAS backs Umno for menteri besarpost

said a BN–Perikatan Nasional alignment could mathematically produce a majority, but significant political as well as institutional constraints remain. These include BN’s role in the federal Unity government, entrenched grassroots rivalries and, within Negeri Sembilan’s constitutional- adat framework, the need for royal consent. Meanwhile, Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun offered a more critical view of BN’s longer-term trajectory, suggesting that recent developments could further shape public perception of the coalition. “It is no secret that since even before 2018, many of the few remaining BN supporters are mainly those who depend on BN for projects and other benefits.” He added that BN’s diminished

presence at federal and state levels has curtailed its ability to dispense patronage, weakening its traditional support base. “As BN is no longer in the driving seat of the federal and many state governments, although it remains part of several coalitions, it is hard pressed to deliver those benefits and thus struggles to even maintain its conventional support base, let alone expand it.” He suggested that developments in Negeri Sembilan may reflect broader manoeuvring by Umno within BN. “It is fairly clear that the Negeri Sembilan situation is meant to signal to PKR the issue of leadership arrangements at the state level. “With that, and perhaps other similar approaches, Umno, which heads BN, may be seeking to reassure its supporters that it can still deliver, albeit in a more limited capacity.”

o Support from DAP, Amanah offers some stability but insufficient to secure working majority without additional backing: Analysts

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

day-to-day governance. “Aminuddin’s position is highly fragile. Day-to-day risks include difficulty in passing the state budget, government motions being easily challenged, politically sensitive appointments and an administration that may be perceived as constantly on the brink of the next crisis.” He also said while support from DAP and Amanah offers some stability, it is insufficient to secure a working majority without additional backing. On potential realignments, he

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) remains flexible and strategically managed, with analysts saying recent political developments in Negeri Sembilan are unlikely to destabilise the federal government. Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said BN has adopted a deliberately fluid approach to political cooperation, allowing tactical engagement with various blocs without rushing into formal alliances. “I see BN’s cooperation as loosely structured with any party or bloc. However, what transpired recently was not initiated by BN. “Instead, it was Perikatan Nasional (PN) that reached out by submitting a PETALING JAYA: Negeri Sembilan’s deepening political crisis has exposed the fragility of its state government and raised fresh questions over Barisan Nasional’s (BN) standing, with analysts warning of potential fallout for the coalition’s public image amid shifting alliances. Political observers note that the administration led by Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun remains constitutionally intact but is operating on a razor-thin margin following the withdrawal of support from 14 Umno assemblymen. Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the government’s legitimacy still holds in formal terms, but its political footing has been significantly weakened. “The legitimacy of the Negeri Sembilan government still exists from a formal standpoint as long as Aminuddin has not resigned, has not lost a vote of confidence and the state assembly has not been dissolved with royal consent. “However, from a political perspective, that legitimacy is now extremely ‘thin’,” he said, pointing to the reduced numbers in the state assembly following Umno’s withdrawal of support. He said a minority government could continue to function, but its survival ultimately depends on securing legislative backing. “That said, the real test, both morally and politically, lies on the floor of the state assembly, not merely through media statements.” Awang Azman said the menteri besar’s position is increasingly precarious, with mounting risks to

Awang Azman said Aminuddin’s (second from left) position is increasingly precarious, with mounting risks to day-to-day governance. – BERNAMAPIC

BN expected to maintain flexible cooperation with PH letter to the Negeri Sembilan Umno secretary expressing its willingness to cooperate,” he noted. politically compared with states such as Johor and Malacca, where Umno holds a stronger position. Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

routine political practice. “Meetings between leaders are normal in politics. They discuss and negotiate possible strategies that may benefit them. Unless there is an official announcement of cooperation, whether through a revived Muafakat Nasional or a formal BN-PN alignment, any claims remain speculative political talk,” he added. Meanwhile, National Professors Council fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the political situation in Negeri Sembilan does not pose any threat to the stability of the federal Unity government. “There is no issue of Negeri Sembilan undermining the Unity government at the federal level. Ahmad Zahid has clearly stated his support for the prime minister until Parliament is dissolved.” He said Negeri Sembilan stands out

“In Johor and Malacca, Umno is dominant. But in states such as Perak and Pahang, Umno relies heavily on PH. Negeri Sembilan is different, it is a more balanced contest. PH and BN are relatively equal in strength.” He added that this balance makes Negeri Sembilan a useful “testing ground”for gauging voter sentiment in the absence of reliable opinion polling. “We do not have consistent opinion polls to measure party strength. Elections remain the most reliable mechanism. If PH and BN are equally strong, then Negeri Sembilan becomes a testing bed to assess voter support for both coalitions.” Azmi also said seat negotiations in other states, particularly Johor and Malacca, could prove more challenging

He said BN is expected to maintain its current alignment within the Unity government at least until the next electoral cycle, including the Malacca and Johor elections and the 16th general election. “BN is taking a strategic approach and will not abandon its cooperation within the Unity government until the next round of elections. “At the same time, it may adopt an electoral pact model, contesting agreed seats while maintaining its ‘solo’ identity based on the BN model.” He dismissed speculation over meetings between Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and opposition leaders, including Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, describing such engagements as