.png)
PUTRAJAYA – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed allegations of external interference in the appointment of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim, describing such claims as “someone’s senility” and a sign of misunderstanding political procedures.
Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said it was his responsibility as the coalition’s national chairman to submit the appointment letter and proposed candidate’s name to the Palace as part of the Menteri Besar selection process.
"I do not want to entertain ‘someone’s senility’ from someone who does not understand the political reality that the name must be submitted to the Palace and as BN chairman, of course I have to submit the letter of appointment and also the proposed name.
"If my duty as BN chairman at the national level is considered as being an outsider, it means that the senility is clearly reflected from the face of the person making the statement," he said.
He made the remarks after attending the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) monthly assembly in Putrajaya on Thursday.
Zahid was responding to claims by Negeri Sembilan Wawasan chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim, who alleged that there had been external interference in the state’s customary and constitutional affairs during the selection of the new Menteri Besar.
Rais had also questioned Zahid’s meeting with Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir before the appointment, as details of the meeting were not disclosed publicly.
Meanwhile, Zahid denied speculation that PH representatives would be appointed as state executive councillors in the new Negeri Sembilan administration.
"There will never be one," he said.
The speculation emerged after claims that several PH state assemblymen could join the state administration under Ismail’s leadership.
Ismail previously said the state Exco lineup would be finalised by Friday or no later than the following Monday.
The recent Negeri Sembilan state election ended PH’s administration after the BN-PN alliance secured a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.
Official Election Commission (EC) results showed BN won 18 of the 36 state seats, while PN secured seven seats, giving the coalition 25 seats to form the new state government.
The result marked a significant shift in Negeri Sembilan’s political landscape, with the state, previously considered a PH stronghold, now being governed by the BN-PN coalition.
The victory also strengthened the momentum of the “blue wave” following BN’s major victory in Johor and was seen as reflecting voter acceptance of cooperation between BN and PN.
