Lenggeng assemblyman Asna Amin has dismissed speculation that Pakatan Harapan (PH) could be brought into Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim’s state administration.
In a Facebook post, Asna said there had been no discussions at all on the matter, firmly rejecting claims that PH could be included in the state government.
His remarks came after MalaysiaGazette quoted unnamed sources as saying negotiations over the composition of Ismail’s state executive council were ongoing to strengthen political stability.
Ismail was sworn in as menteri besar after Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), which contested the Negeri Sembilan state election under an electoral pact, secured 18 and seven seats respectively.
A simple majority in the 36-seat state assembly requires 19 seats.
Respect the Ruler’s decision
Asna also rejected claims by Wawasan chairman Rais Yatim that external interference had influenced Ismail’s appointment as menteri besar. The allegation appeared to refer to BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s meeting with Yang Dipertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir following BN’s election victory.
The two-term assemblyman said he was confident Zahid had acted in accordance with Negeri Sembilan’s laws and customs, describing Rais’s allegations as baseless.
He said that after the list of candidates had been submitted to the Yang Dipertuan Besar, the BN chairman left the final decision on the appointment of the menteri besar to His Royal Highness.
Give the Menteri Besar room to govern
Asna said the appointment had been made and Ismail had already begun carrying out his responsibilities.
He urged all parties to stop questioning Ismail’s leadership and allow him the space to perform his duties effectively.
He also stressed that Tuanku Muhriz had made his decision and that all elected representatives should respect it.
“As elected representatives, we must fall in line and place the people’s interests above personal or political interests,” he said.
Before Ismail’s appointment, Asna was among those widely rumoured to be potential candidates for the menteri besar’s post, alongside state Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias and Johol assemblyman Saiful Yazan Sulaiman.
