No party can simply take over the position of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar as long as the ongoing adat and constitutional crisis in the state remains unresolved, said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
He said current Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun will continue to lead the state government under the present “status quo” arrangement.
Speaking at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership ceramah at the Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Paroi on Wednesday night, Loke said the situation in Negeri Sembilan remains complicated due to unresolved issues involving the state’s royal institution and traditional leaders.
“In Negeri Sembilan, whether we like it or not, there is still a conflict. There are issues involving the royal institution, including matters between the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Undang. These are matters that we cannot interfere in. They must be resolved within the institution itself,” he said.
Loke stressed that until the matter is settled, no major administrative decisions can be made, including the appointment of a new Menteri Besar or state executive councillors.
He explained that this is because formal processes such as swearing-in ceremonies cannot be carried out under the current circumstances.
“This means no new Menteri Besar can be appointed, no new EXCO members can be sworn in, and even the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly cannot take place,” he added.
He said the current state administration will therefore continue to function as usual.
“Because of this, the administration remains in a status quo situation. As long as the issue is unresolved, no one can take over as Menteri Besar,” he said.
Loke reiterated that Aminuddin will remain in office and all existing state executive council members should continue their duties.
“There is no question of any new appointment. Everything remains in place, so the administration continues its work,” he said.
He added that if the State Legislative Assembly were to be dissolved due to political developments, PH must be ready to face the electorate at any time.
At the same time, Loke challenged any party seeking to change the leadership to bring forward a motion of no confidence in the assembly.
He said a state government can only fall through a formal vote of no confidence or if there is sufficient majority support presented to the ruler, referencing past political developments in other states.
“For a government to fall, it must be through a no-confidence vote or if there is clear majority support presented to the palace. If the palace accepts it and a new Menteri Besar is sworn in, then the previous one steps down,” he said.
Loke insisted that such conditions have not occurred in Negeri Sembilan, and therefore the current Menteri Besar remains in office.
