Mohamad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, was asked why he felt it was important for the programme to proceed even though the political crisis in the state appeared to be moving towards a resolution.
“There is indeed confusion among the people, and one of the conclusions from yesterday’s gathering was that the state government led by menteri besar Aminuddin Harun would continue.
“There will be no change of power midway, and I believe that was also the decision reached by the top leadership during the joint meeting between Umno/Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan,” he said in a video interview posted on his Facebook page.
Mohamad also said he enjoyed a good relationship with Umno leaders, including party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy Mohamad Hasan, and vice-president Johari Ghani, especially after being in government together.
He added that he would often seek their views because they were more experienced in administrative matters.
“In Cabinet meetings, Tok Mat (Mohamad Hasan) sits next to me, and whenever there are issues I am unclear about, I will ask him because, having served three terms as menteri besar, he is especially knowledgeable in areas such as land administration and local councils.
“In fact, Zahid, as Umno president and deputy prime minister, chairs many government agencies in which I am also involved as the agriculture minister. So we have a very strong working relationship.
“As for differences in political views, that is normal. We manage them through discussions.”
Chants of “Tolak Umno” were heard after several PH leaders finished speaking during the ceramah last night.
All 14 Umno-BN assemblymen in the state had withdrawn their support for Aminuddin over his handling of the controversy surrounding four chieftains seeking to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, from his position.
However, Umno’s central leadership has since ordered the assemblymen to continue supporting the state administration.
Zahid today said some PH grassroots members might have criticised Umno last night because they did not fully understand its stance on the political developments in the state, unlike the coalition’s senior leaders.
Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil yesterday said the crisis in Negeri Sembilan had been resolved following a meeting between the top leaders of PH and Umno.