Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has given Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim the mandate to seek a solution to the state’s political crisis by consulting its royal and traditional institutions.
Zahid said Ismail should meet the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, the four Undang, the Tunku Besar of Tampin, Datuk Shahbandar and other traditional institutions to find an amicable solution.
Seek solution through state institutions
‘I give the mandate to the Menteri Besar of Negri Sembilan to seek the best solution by meeting the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan, the four Undang, the Tunku Besar of Tampin, Datuk Shahbandar and other traditional institutions to resolve the issue amicably,’ he said.
Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the matter should be resolved at the state level in accordance with the Negri Sembilan Constitution, customs and existing regulations.
He said the interests of the people must remain the priority, with their problems addressed and their welfare safeguarded.
‘We do not want the situation to become more difficult and for the people to bear the consequences,’ he said.
State administration must continue
Zahid said the state administration must continue to function smoothly despite the political impasse.
His remarks followed the revocation of the appointments of 10 Negri Sembilan state executive councillors by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on Sept 20.
The move came amid a dispute over a proclamation seeking the removal of Tuanku Muhriz.
Zahid also denied reports that the 10 former executive councillors had been summoned to Bukit Aman for questioning.
He said there was no need for them to be called to Bukit Aman, but they would cooperate if police required them to provide statements.
‘I heard about it, but it is not true. There is no need for them to be called.
‘But if the police want to obtain their statements, the former exco members have no problem giving their statements in Seremban or anywhere in Negri Sembilan,’ he said.
Ten exco members had appointments revoked
The 10 former exco members comprised seven Umno assemblymen, one MCA representative, one Pas representative and one Parti Wawasan Negara representative.
They were Mohd Faizal Ramli, Zaifulbahri Idris, Mustapha Nagoor, Siow Kong Choon, Siti Nur Umaira Hasim, Mohd Asna Amin, Mohd Razi Mohd Ali, Suhaimizan Bizar, Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa and Razali Abu Samah.
Their appointments were revoked after they were found to have breached their oaths of office and allegiance to the state ruler.
