‘We do not have a choice’: DAP sec-gen cites trust issue in fresh push for Negeri Sembilan polls

SEREMBAN, May 24 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke today said the Negeri Sembilan legislative assembly should be dissolved to allow voters to decide on a fresh state mandate following Barisan Nasional’s (BN) withdrawal of support for the Pakatan Harapan-led state government.

The call comes after 14 BN assemblymen pulled support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, placing the unity government’s position in the state in doubt.

“We do not have a choice as we have a trust issue in Negeri Sembilan now following their decision to suddenly withdraw support.

“The mandate has been given back to the people regarding who wants to lead the state government,” he was quoted by The Star as telling reporters here.

Loke, who is also Seremban MP and transport minister, said he made the proposal during the PH convention in Johor last Sunday for the Negeri Sembilan assembly to be dissolved simultaneously with the Johor legislative assembly.

He said PH is prepared to face a fresh state election if consent for dissolution is granted by the Negeri Sembilan Ruler.

“The situation has become untenable, as anything can happen when the assembly reconvenes.

“Although they (the state Barisan assemblymen) say they support the state government, we cannot take the risk as anything can happen as they can again withdraw support,” he was quoted as saying.

Loke said dissolving the state assembly would be preferable to facing the possibility of a no-confidence motion against Aminuddin or the defeat of the state budget in the assembly.

He also said PH had previously proven its ability to govern Negeri Sembilan despite political instability at the federal level following the Sheraton Move in 2020.

“We only had 20 seats but we survived despite the Sheraton Move at the federal level in 2020 and the Covid-19 outbreak,” he said.

Loke added that since Johor BN had announced plans to contest all seats in the upcoming state election there, Negeri Sembilan PH would also do the same if polls are called in the state.

المصدر: Malay Mail