No intention to become Opposition in N9

UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reaffirmed that the party remains part of the unity government in Negeri Sembilan, and has never discussed replacing menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.

Speaking to reporters after an event, Zahid said Umno has no intention of becoming the opposition, as suggested by state Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias on Saturday.

“We have no intention of becoming the opposition.

“Umno’s central leadership has decided that all 14 of the party’s assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan will remain part of the unity government,” he said.

Last week, all Umno assemblymen in the state announced that they were withdrawing support for Aminuddin, citing his alleged failure to manage an institutional crisis that has become a matter of public debate.

The development came amid an ongoing crisis involving four chieftains seeking to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Jalaluddin said on Saturday that the state Umno chapter was prepared to sit in the opposition rather than continue working with Pakatan Harapan in the state administration following the constitutional crisis.

He said the move was driven by their unwillingness to remain silent over what they viewed as Aminuddin’s mistakes.

On preparations for the possibility of snap state elections, Zahid said all parties in Barisan Nasional were on full alert.

“All parties are prepared, and most importantly, when we return the mandate to the people, they must choose the best possible combination,” he said.