Resignation comes amid dispute over revocation of Negeri Sembilan Exco appointments
PETALING JAYA: An UMNO branch chief has resigned from his party position, citing concerns over how the party’s Negeri Sembilan leadership has responded to the ongoing dispute involving the state’s royal institution.
Datuk Ir Abdul Aziz Abdullah, who heads UMNO Cawangan Pinggiran Sri Baduri under the Damansara division, said his resignation took effect on Sept 21.
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In a video statement, Abdul Aziz said he was disappointed by recent developments in Negeri Sembilan, particularly the disagreement involving Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and the state administration.
“Why did I choose to resign? Because I cannot bear the anger and sadness over the attitude of UMNO leaders today in Negeri Sembilan, who have been so disrespectful towards Tuanku Muhriz,” he said.
His remarks reflect his personal view of the developments and the conduct of the party’s state leadership.
Abdul Aziz said the issue had particular significance for him as he now lives in Negeri Sembilan and has family ties to the state.
“My mother is from Johor, but my father is a native of Negeri Sembilan,” he said.
He said this was among the reasons he had followed developments involving the state administration and the palace.
“I cannot accept the attitude shown by the Menteri Besar, the Exco members and UMNO in Negeri Sembilan. I cannot accept it,” he said.
The resignation comes amid an ongoing dispute over the status of the Negeri Sembilan state executive council.
On Sept 20, the Negeri Sembilan Palace announced that Tuanku Muhriz had revoked the appointments of the state executive councillors with immediate effect. The palace said the decision followed its finding that the Exco members had breached their oaths of office through their actions and statements on Sept 15.
The palace statement cited Article XXXVIII(5) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, which states that an Exco member, other than the Menteri Besar, holds office at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim subsequently disputed the effect of the revocations, saying he had not advised or been consulted on the matter and maintaining that the existing Exco members would continue carrying out their duties.
The differing positions have left the status and functioning of the state executive council at the centre of the ongoing dispute.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim subsequently met Tuanku Muhriz at the Negeri Sembilan Palace on Sept 21 amid the developments.
UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has also been reported as seeking an explanation from Ismail over the developments.
