MELAKA (Nov 12): Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is confident that the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan will be resolved soon. 

The deputy prime minister said he hoped a solution could be reached through a spirit of togetherness among the parties concerned, which had also enabled the formation of the state government previously.

“I am confident that whatever problems we are facing in Negeri Sembilan have reached their final stage. We pray that the issues will be resolved in the near future, Insya-Allah,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, was speaking at the Perikatan Nasional (PN)-BN Grand Finale Ceramah programme here on Wednesday night. 

Also present were PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

Ahmad Zahid said the problems in Negeri Sembilan should serve as a lesson to ensure that a similar situation does not happen again.

Speaking to reporters later, he said efforts to resolve the crisis were underway, involving the Umno national and state leadership as well as Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim, with the interests of the people taking priority.

He said that the state budget could only be tabled after obtaining the consent of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, for a special state assembly sitting to be held.

“It would be impossible to hold the budget sitting without the consent of His Royal Highness the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

“We are confident that Tuanku will give his consent for the special sitting to discuss the state budget to be held this month, insya-Allah,” he said.

On the state government's ability to continue functioning, Ahmad Zahid hoped the state assembly sitting and approval of the state budget would allow the administration to carry on smoothly, with all parties working together.

“I am confident that if we work towards a solution, we will find common ground and a way forward to ensure Negeri Sembilan is governed well,” he said.

Last Sunday, Ismail was reported as saying that the Negeri Sembilan assembly would not be allowed to dissolve and that efforts would be made to ensure its sitting went ahead as planned.

The state government had earlier scheduled the sitting to begin on Nov 26, with the 2027 State Budget to be tabled the following day.

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