Negri Sembilan political crisis: DAP backs DUN dissolution

SEREMBAN: DAP says that dissolving the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) to pave the way for fresh state elections is the best option to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Negri Sembilan.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the proposal had already been conveyed to Menteri Besar and Pakatan Harapan (PH) Negri Sembilan chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said the matter had been raised during the PH Convention in Johor last week.

“The message we delivered at the Johor PH Convention was very clear — that Negri Sembilan should be prepared to hold elections together with Johor. If the Johor DUN is dissolved soon, then Negri Sembilan could also follow suit,” he said.

However, he stressed that the final decision would rest with Aminuddin, who must consult the PH leadership, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and ultimately obtain consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

“That is the process. Whatever it is, PH Negri Sembilan must be ready for any possibility of a state election,” he told reporters after a tea reception with the Transport Minister and a presentation of incentives for top SPM students for the Seremban parliamentary constituency here today.

Loke said the current political situation in Negri Sembilan should not be allowed to drag on.

“If we continue like this, it will be difficult because sometimes there appears to be support, but at any time it could be withdrawn,” he said.

“It is better to return the mandate to the people through state elections. That is our clear position — that PH Negri Sembilan is prepared for the DUN to be dissolved in line with Johor so that elections can be held simultaneously.

“If we hold it separately, it will incur additional costs. But if it is done together with Johor or even Melaka, the cost can be reduced. It is possible that the three southern states could hold simultaneous elections,” he added.

On Barisan Nasional’s (BN) stance, particularly in Johor, that it intends to contest all seats in the next state election, Loke said PH would also contest all seats in Negri Sembilan.=

“They have stated their position, and we have also stated ours. In Negri Sembilan, PH will contest all seats,” he said.

Last Friday, BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said dissolving the Negri Sembilan DUN would be the best way to resolve the political crisis in the state.

The Foreign Minister was reported as saying that such a move would return the mandate to the people to decide who should govern the state.

Previously, Umno Negri Sembilan chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias announced that all 14 BN assemblymen had unanimously withdrawn their support for Aminuddin, following a crisis involving state customary and constitutional institutions.

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المصدر: New Straits Times