Rafizi said Umno’s decision to withdraw its support would remind the public and fence-sitters why the party lost badly in the last general election.

Umno secured only 26 of the 119 seats it contested in the 15th general election.

Rafizi said while Umno had its reasons to do so, such as strengthening the party, its actions would be viewed differently, depending on the narrative, especially on social media.

“And this is the unintended consequence that Umno did not take into account,” the Pandan MP and former economy minister said in a post on X.

He said it would be difficult to get fence-sitters to re-evaluate their stance, once a narrative was set.

“The views of the fence-sitters will lead to unintended consequences,” he said.

All 14 Barisan Nasional-Umno assemblymen retracted support for Aminuddin on Monday, citing a loss of confidence in the menteri besar from PKR.

Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias said their decision was linked to the ongoing crisis involving the four undangs seeking to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan from his position.

Last night, Negeri Sembilan BN rejected claims that its assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin in an attempt to take over the state government, insisting that it was based on principles.

“It is not a covert move, not a backdoor deal, and not a power grab. It is a legitimate political stance (taken) after a loss of confidence in the menteri besar’s leadership,” the state chapter’s leadership said.