KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): Umno is staying with Pakatan Harapan in Negeri Sembilan to lead the state government.
While the party said it respects the position of its state assemblymen who have lost faith in the Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, the decision to stay in the coalition government will ensure political stability and public welfare, Umno said in a statement issued past midnight on Thursday.
Umno also called for an urgent meeting with Pakatan Harapan to resolve outstanding disputes over principles and customary laws that led to the crisis this week.
Following the return of Umno, Pakatan Harapan has regained its majority in the state assembly.
The reversal is the latest in the political crisis engulfing Land of the Minangkabau sparked by a move by territorial chieftains to oust the state’s ruler on April 19. The attempt failed as Aminuddin sided with Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Aminuddin announced that the state government does not recognise proclamation by the Undang Yang Empat to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. That prompted all Umno assemblymen to withdraw their support for Aminuddin, leaving him to lead a minority government.
The Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly consists of 36 seats in total. Pakatan Harapan currently controls 17 seats and Umno has 14 seats while Perikatan Nasional holds five seats on the other side of the aisle.
Umno stressed in the statement dated April 29 that the party is committed to its principles to defend the institution of the Malay royal institution and takes seriously recent developments in Negeri Sembilan.
The party added that it is seeking to resolve policy disputes through a meeting with Pakatan Harapan as required the coalition government’s memorandum of understanding.