Umno will discuss prospects of early GE16; Negeri Sembilan assemblymen pulled support on their own, says Zahid

Monday 21 Sep 2026

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KUALA LUMPUR (April 27): The prospects of early general election "will be discussed" by Umno, said its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, amid the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan where its 14 state assemblymen pulled support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines in WTC here, Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said that the actions of the 14 Negeri Sembilan assemblymen "were their own", although the leadership was made aware of the decision beforehand "in a very short period".

"The system in Umno is that typically [we] respect the decision by the state division or the assemblymen," said Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman. "We will decide when the matter is brought to the political bureau and Umno's Supreme Council."

Zahid added that he will meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Pakatan Harapan president soon. "We will look at all aspects," he said, when asked if the move will impact BN's relationship with PH.

BN and PH coalitions are part of the unity government. Aminuddin, who was appointed as Menteri Besar in August 2023, is a member of PKR, a coalition member of PH.

Earlier on Monday, Negeri Sembilan BN chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias led a press conference to announce that all 14 Umno assemblymen have withdrawn support for the state's MB citing a loss of confidence in Aminuddin amid an ongoing crisis involving the state’s royal institution.

The state assembly comprises 36 state seats. The remainder are held by PH (17), and Perikatan Nasional, whose five assemblymen have expressed they are ready to form a new state government with BN.

Aminuddin, later, separately said he has been decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir to continue serving as MB under a minority government until "there is a clear decision".

The political crisis in Negeri Sembilan comes on the heels of a separate dispute involving Tuanku Muhriz's position as the state's ruler.

Just days before, the state's four Undangs (Undang Yang Empat), which included Undang of Sungai Ujong Datuk Mubarak Dohak who was removed from his post, announced that the ruler had been removed.

The Undang Yang Empat — Mubarak, Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Muhammad Abdullah (Johol) and Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau) — are vested with the authority to determine whether the ruler is unfit to reign due to serious incapacity, misconduct, or breaches of the constitution or Islamic principles, and to require him to step aside or abdicate.

However, Aminuddin had said that the state government does not recognise the declaration, noting that Mubarak was removed from his position prior to making the announcement.

The dispute even led the four Undangs to boycott the Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly opening on April 23.

The sitting, which was scheduled to run between April 23 and April 29, 2026 was adjourned by Speaker Datuk MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman after the royal address by Tuanku Muhriz.

He clarified that the decision was not due to any quorum issue or the absence of any leaders. A new date for the assembly will be announced later with the ruler’s approval.

In citing loss of confidence against Aminuddin, Jalaluddin, at the press conference attended by 12 other ADUNs on Monday, said Umno Negeri Sembilan was "disappointed" with what it described as "interfering in the affairs" of royalty. Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is ADUN for Rantau, was not present at the press conference.

Edited ByPresenna Nambiar

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