PM Anwar says he opposed early Negeri Sembilan election but had no option amid Umno’s flip-flopping
SEREMBAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has disclosed that he was against calling early elections in Negeri Sembilan, noting that the state government had only completed nearly three years of its term.
Anwar, who chairs Pakatan Harapan, said he had told Negeri Sembilan PH chief and caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun directly that he opposed the move, but conceded there was little alternative given the turmoil caused by Umno — whose 14 state lawmakers had pulled their support for Aminuddin as menteri besar before reversing the decision soon after.
“This is pure ‘wayang kulit’ — political theatre,” he said while officiating the launch of PH’s Negeri Sembilan election machinery, here, last night.
“We’re left with no choice but to go to the polls so the people can decide.”
He also criticised what he called Umno’s “impatience” in pushing for early elections in both Negeri Sembilan and Johor, where the current term still has roughly a year to run.
“Why not wait a little longer before calling for elections? Instead, they were confident they could topple the Negeri Sembilan government. There was no patience shown at all,” he said, adding that the coalition’s unity should ideally have lasted until the next general round of polls.
Anwar urged Negeri Sembilan voters to return a PH-led government, calling on them to reinstate Aminuddin — popularly known as Tok Min — as menteri besar.
“God willing, this will secure a better future for the state,” he said.
Under the outgoing assembly, Aminuddin led a unity administration combining PH and Umno representatives.
Anwar said the state’s development agenda must prioritise workers, smallholders, hawkers and small traders, rather than focusing solely on the wealthy.
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The Negeri Sembilan assembly was dissolved to make way for a snap election, set for August 1. The dissolution followed weeks of political uncertainty that began last month when all 14 Umno-Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrew their backing for Aminuddin’s government.
Although Umno’s central leadership later instructed its representatives to resume their support, leaders from both PH and Umno eventually agreed that dissolving the assembly was the most decisive way to settle the impasse.
Anwar voiced confidence that PH could hold on to the state if voters continued to endorse its leadership and policies.
He said the government’s main priority remained safeguarding public welfare while boosting the national economy through greater investment, noting that Malaysia’s investment performance had outpaced several neighbouring countries, with some states posting strong growth.
“I want to stress again — our priority is the people’s welfare. We’re committed to doing our best,” he said, pointing to Johor and Negeri Sembilan as states that had seen robust growth driven by rising economic activity and investment.
Anwar added that despite political disagreements, the government had not taken a confrontational stance.
“I have no interest in hostility. Seated beside me are Umno leaders, including the deputy prime minister, who is also Umno’s president. We continue working together because we care about the people,” he said, stressing that political stability and inter-party cooperation were essential to delivering the government’s development goals.
Turning to the Negeri Sembilan royal institution, Anwar said the federal government would not intervene, insisting any related matters must be settled in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws. While acknowledging differing views on the state’s royal system, he said the federal government continued to respect the jurisdiction of the state government and the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“I know some in Negeri Sembilan disagree with my stance, but I do not interfere in state matters,” he said.
He confirmed having engaged with the state’s Undangs but said he had never questioned the Adat Perpatih customary system, the Undangs, or the Luak structure, as these fall under the state’s own constitutional framework. “For now, while certain issues remain unresolved, we have a menteri besar and a Yang di-Pertuan Besar in Negeri Sembilan,” he said.
Anwar cautioned against turning the royal institution into a political football, warning this could destabilise the country and undermine the constitutional monarchy system. “We claim to support the monarchy while working to remove the ruler — I disagree with that. Any changes must follow proper constitutional procedures,” he added.
