Here’s an idea for the Pakatan Harapan-led state government of Negeri Sembilan—dissolve the state assembly immediately and call for snap polls.
Negeri Sembilan Umno has shown its true colours by backstabbing PH, retracting support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, and openly courting Perikatan Nasional assemblymen to form a new government.
Aminuddin should call Umno’s bluff. As things stand, PH holds the advantage over both Umno and PN in the state.
Umno’s manoeuvre is a lite version of PN’s infamous Sheraton Move—a plot to cobble together an “attap-roof” government.
Framed as advancing Malay/Muslim interests, Muhyiddin Yassin’s backdoor administration collapsed quickly after failing to secure genuine Malay support.
In today’s version, Umno plays the villain with PN as accomplice.
The move reeks of opportunism, dressed up as community interest but devoid of sincerity. Voters are unlikely to buy it, and both parties risk punishment at the ballot box.
PN itself is hardly a reliable partner. The ongoing feud between Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and his former deputy Hamzah Zainudin threatens to distract PAS and deepen divisions within the opposition.
Presently, the odds favour PH, and they should strike while the iron is hot.
PAS, meanwhile, is fixated on Selangor’s pig-farming issue—rhetoric that will alienate non-Malays in Negeri Sembilan. Protest votes could swing toward PH, even if fence sitters presently appear lukewarm.
For their part, BN components MCA and MIC may struggle to justify their coaliition’s new alliance with PN, and may be branded guilty by association.
Non-Malay voters are likely to rally behind PH, but Malay sentiment remains less certain. The tussle between the undangs and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir could weigh heavily. If Tuanku Muhriz is more popular than the undangs, the Umno-PN alliance should brace for bad news.
Nationally, the economy is on a recovery track. Installing an Umno-PN state government risks derailing progress. Anyway, when was the last time that combo offered a credible economic blueprint?
By virtue of incumbency, PH controls the state machinery and will benefit from federal support, especially in delivering election goodies. Whether one agrees with such practices or not, they undeniably help.
Barring internal sabotage, PH is capable of securing a solid majority. Snap polls would not only reaffirm public backing for Aminuddin’s government but also deal a decisive blow to Umno and PN in Negeri Sembilan.
This contest will be more than a state election—it will be a beta test for GE16. It will pit a Malaysian party against a race-based one.
Perhaps the time has come for Malaysians to send, once and for all, a clear message to their politicians about what they should be prioritising.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.