KUALA LUMPUR (April 27): Negeri Sembilan’s state administration has been thrown into uncertainty after Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said he will continue to lead the government despite Umno assemblymen withdrawing support, which has resulted in the loss of majority support in the State Legislative Assembly.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Aminuddin said the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, has decreed that he should continue administering the state government as usual until there is a “clear and conclusive determination” on the matter, in line with the state constitution and applicable laws.

He said the royal decree was made after he had an audience with Tuanku Muhriz and briefed His Royal Highness on the latest political developments involving support for the state administration.

“This is the decree from the state ruler, and the matter is still very fluid,” Aminuddin said. “Nevertheless, as a minority government, we will continue to carry out our responsibilities as usual.”

The Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly has 36 seats. The Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led administration holds 17 seats — comprising five from Parti Keadilan Rakyat, 11 from Democratic Action Party, and one from Amanah.

Umno holds 14 seats, while opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) has five seats, including three from PAS and two from Bersatu.

Earlier on Monday, Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias announced that all Umno-Barisan Nasional assemblymen had agreed to withdraw support for the Aminuddin-led administration, citing a loss of confidence amid an ongoing crisis involving the state’s royal institution.

With Umno’s withdrawal, the PH-led government no longer commands a clear majority.

Meanwhile, the opposition has expressed readiness to work with Umno in Negeri Sembilan to ensure political stability. A BN-PN alignment would command 19 seats, surpassing the simple majority threshold required to form a government.

Aminuddin said he was surprised by Umno’s move, noting that four Umno executive councillors had met him the night before the State Legislative Assembly opening ceremony.

He also pointed out that the request to adjourn the State Assembly after the opening by Tuanku Muhriz came from Umno.

“The sitting should have proceeded as usual. I was not the one who proposed its adjournment. If there was intent (to remove me), a motion of no confidence should have been tabled in the House,” he said.

Aminuddin said there are currently no plans for further meetings with Umno and no immediate plans to reconvene the State Assembly.

He added that the next course of action will be decided by the PH presidential council following BN’s withdrawal of support.

Separately, Aminuddin reiterated that the state government does not recognise the proclamation by the Undang Yang Empat to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

He said that under the state constitution, there are two procedures for removal of the ruler — voluntary abdication or removal through a process initiated by the Undangs following a “full and complete enquiry”.

He said such an enquiry must be comprehensive, grounded in natural justice, and based on prima facie allegations subject to investigation and fact-finding.

Aminuddin also said the state constitution requires a formal proclamation to be issued under the signatures of the Undangs and the Menteri Besar, making it a key constitutional requirement linking both authorities.

Until such a proclamation is duly issued, any purported removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar has no legal effect, he said.

“As such, the alleged proclamation of removal is without basis and does not show that the constitutional process and procedures were properly followed,” he added.

Negeri Sembilan has been embroiled in a constitutional crisis since the escalating dispute over the position of its ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

On April 19, the Undang Yang Empat — territorial chiefs vested with authority under the state constitution — announced that Tuanku Muhriz had been removed. Under Article 10(1), they are empowered to determine whether the ruler is unfit to rule due to serious incapacity, misconduct, or breaches of the constitution or Islamic principles, and to require him to step aside or abdicate.

They also named Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the next Yang di-Pertuan Besar with immediate effect. His late father, Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, was Tuanku Muhriz’s predecessor.

In response, Aminuddin said the state government does not recognise the declaration, noting that one of the signatories had already been removed from his position prior to the announcement.

The Undangs and the Tunku Besar of Tampin subsequently called for Aminuddin’s removal, describing him as unfit for office. They were also absent from the State Assembly sitting last week.

The State Assembly sitting, originally scheduled from April 23 to 29 for debates on the royal address, was adjourned by Speaker Datuk MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman after Tuanku Muhriz delivered his speech.

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