Chants of “Tolak Umno” were heard after several PH leaders finished speaking during the ceramah in Paroi, Seremban, which was held amid a political crisis in Negeri Sembilan.

All 14 Umno-Barisan Nasional assemblymen in the state had withdrawn their support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun over his handling of the controversy surrounding four chieftains seeking to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, from his position.

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.

“I went through the top PH leaders’ speeches at the ceramah, and they clearly understand the issue,” he said after an event here.

“I understand the feelings of the grassroots members… (But) they may not necesarrily have a clear picture of the position taken by Umno and BN.”

Among those who spoke at the ceramah were Aminuddin, PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook.

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.

He said the unity government in Negeri Sembilan would continue to function as normal under Aminuddin’s leadership, with any future disputes to be referred to the central leadership.

Zahid had also said the party remained committed to the unity state government and had never discussed replacing Aminuddin as menteri besar.

Negeri Sembilan Umno maintained that it had lost confidence in Aminuddin, though it said it would abide by the central leadership’s decision to back the unity government.