KUALA LUMPUR — The political crisis in Negeri Sembilan has once again exposed deeper structural weaknesses in Malaysia’s democratic system, according to political watchdog Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek Sama).
The group said the current turmoil is not merely a state-level political dispute, but a symptom of a broader mismatch between Malaysia’s First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) electoral system and an increasingly fragmented political landscape.
“Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek Sama) warns that the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan stems from a poor fit between our outdated electoral system and our divided political landscape, and that there may be replays elsewhere if both stay the same,” it said in a statement today.
Projek Sama noted that coalition governments have become a political necessity in Malaysia, particularly when no single party is able to secure a majority on its own.
However, it said the current electoral framework often pushes parties into pre-election alliances that may later collapse, leaving voters feeling misled when political partners part ways after the polls.
“When these allies walk away after the election, voters feel betrayed,” the statement read.
The organisation cited both the Sheraton Move and the latest developments in Negeri Sembilan as key examples of the problem.
“In both Negeri Sembilan and the Sheraton Move, this damages public trust and demands urgent changes in mindset, practice, and the political system itself,” Projek Sama said.
While anti-party hopping laws have helped prevent individual lawmakers from switching allegiance, Projek Sama said these measures fail to address the larger issue of an entire party withdrawing support from a governing coalition.
To address this, the group proposed introducing Closed List Proportional Representation (CLPR) alongside the existing FPTP system.
Under this model, voters would cast two ballots — one for their local representative and another for their preferred political party.
“The institutional fix is to add Closed List Proportional Representation (CLPR) seats on top of existing FPTP seats,” the group explained further.
Projek Sama argued that such a system would allow voters to support their preferred party without being forced to back coalition partners they may distrust.
It said this would also compel parties to genuinely earn voter support, rather than relying solely on electoral alliances.
Until constitutional reforms can be introduced, the group urged political parties to avoid rigid permanent coalitions and instead pursue limited electoral cooperation where appropriate.
It also advised voters to remain actively engaged in elections.
“Simply sitting out does not reduce frustration, as it only reduces political power,” it added.
On the immediate political situation, Projek Sama stressed that any Negeri Sembilan government must command majority support in the state assembly, whether through a coalition, a minority government backed by a confidence and supply agreement, or through a fresh mandate from voters.
Following Barisan Nasional’s withdrawal of support, the group said only two democratic options remain.
“Either a reconfigured government that reflects the new balance of power, or an early election,” it said.
Projek Sama also reaffirmed that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir remains the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, noting that the constitutional requirements for removal have clearly not been met.
According to Article 10 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution, the conditions include specific grounds such as severe disability that renders the ruler unfit under Syariah law, deliberate disregard of the state constitution, and a full and complete inquiry.
“As these conditions are not manifestly fulfilled, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Tuanku Munawir remains the legitimate Head of State.”
With Malaysia already facing global economic uncertainties, Projek Sama called on political leaders and institutions to act responsibly and prioritise stability over political interests.
The crisis in the state has intensified with Umno Negeri Sembilan calling for a special sitting of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly to be convened as soon as possible.
The assembly meeting, which was originally scheduled to take place from Monday until today, was postponed to a later date that has yet to be announced.
Umno Negeri Sembilan chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said delaying the sitting would only worsen instability within the state government. - April 29, 2026
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