He said this in response to a statement by the state Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings that the “inappropriate” closure of the Sungai Ujong undang’s official residence had reinforced their loss of confidence in menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.

Zahid said: “The matter of loss of confidence is their opinion. However, the Barisan Nasional assemblymen’s position in the Negeri Sembilan unity government is a party decision and must be respected.”

Earlier today, the three state Umno wings said the closure of the residence of the former undang of Sungai Ujong underscored the menteri besar’s failure to manage the ongoing royal crisis. They said they viewed the directive for the closure as “inappropriate and an abuse of administrative power”.

Their statement came after 14 state assemblymen from Umno said last week they had withdrawn support for the menteri besar because of his failure to deal with the royal crisis involving the four undangs (traditional district chieftains) and Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

The undangs had sought to depose Tuanku Muhriz as head of state following the removal of the undang of Sungai Ujong, Mubarak Dohak, by the state council of customary law. The state government said, however, that the proposed removal of Tuanku Muhriz was unlawful.

Yesterday, the state government ordered the official residence of the Sungai Ujong undang and the Balai Undang Sungai Ujong to be vacated.