Harapan calms N Sembilan rift amid 'tolak Umno' chant, 'hurt' MB raises snap polls

Pakatan Harapan top leaders moved to ease tensions in Negeri Sembilan with a renewed pledge of support for Aminuddin Harun, even as the menteri besar urged the people to be prepared for a possible snap state election.

Gathering hundreds of supporters in Seremban last night, coalition bigwigs sought to reassure that the state administration, together with BN, remained intact despite Negeri Sembilan Umno’s insistence that its 14 assemblypersons had lost confidence in Aminuddin.

However, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, the final speaker at the “Ceramah Mega Pakatan Harapan”, echoed lingering uneasiness among supporters over continued cooperation with BN in the next state and general elections.

Referencing Harapan’s rise to federal power and its subsequent fall during the 2020 “Sheraton Move”, Mohamad urged supporters to reject any attempt to form a “backdoor government”.

“So we defend this unity government until the next election.

“And then we can remain friends, or we can fight!” he said, as voices from the crowd shouted, “Lawan!” (fight).

Mohamad said Harapan and BN had reached an agreement to preserve stability in Negeri Sembilan, adding that differences of opinion were common in any political cooperation.

“We are friends with former enemies, there are things about them we may not like… and there are things about us they may not like.

“What matters is that we resolve (the crisis) and prioritise the people’s well-being,” he added.

‘I am human too, I also feel hurt’

During his speech, Aminuddin signalled the possibility of a snap state election.

“I want the people of Negeri Sembilan, the residents of this state, to be prepared to face an election.

“They (Umno) are not satisfied. Today, statement after statement. As though we are forced to accept it.

“But we are human too, I am human too, and I also feel hurt,” he said.

Chants of “Tolak Umno” (reject Umno) were also heard at the ceramah before the arrival of Harapan bigwigs and also at the end of the event.

Yesterday, Negeri Sembilan Umno stressed that it would continue supporting the state administration while simultaneously declaring a loss of confidence in the menteri besar.

Negeri Sembilan Umno liaison committee secretary Mustapha Nagoor said the decision to maintain cooperation was to safeguard the people’s well-being and prioritise the interests of the state.

“(However) we continue to have no confidence in the menteri besar over his failure to manage the worst crisis ever to occur in this state, to the extent that it has affected public confidence in the customary institution and the Negeri Sembilan constitution,” he said.

Loke calls for calm

In his speech, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke described the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan as resolved through a consensus between Harapan and Umno’s top leadership, while ensuring Aminuddin remained as head of the state government.

Loke, who is also the transport minister, said the most important thing in facing such a crisis was to provide explanations and avoid acting hastily.

“The crisis has been resolved; the state government remains under Aminuddin’s leadership. Most importantly, stay calm, don’t rush, don’t panic, don’t worry.

“If we are on the right track, there is nothing to worry about. The state government remains and will not fall,” said the Chennah assemblyperson.

Harapan chief secretary Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the agreement reached during a meeting with BN leaders led by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was a positive step towards preserving the unity government.

He also reiterated that the decision was made based on trust and mutual respect.

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