KUALA PILAH, June 10 — Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir today proclaimed his second son Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin as the holder of the hereditary title of Putera Yang Empat, Tunku Panglima Besar of Negeri Sembilan, with immediate effect.

The proclamation ceremony was held in the Balairong Seri, Istana Besar Seri Menanti, with Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud and Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz in attendance.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and heads of state departments.

The proclamation was made to fill the vacancy in the hereditary title of Tunku Panglima Besar of Negeri Sembilan, which was previously held by Tunku Datuk Seri Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Comptroller of Royal Household Datuk Azizi Mohamad Ali, in a statement, said His Royal Highness expressed confidence that Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin, in his capacity as Tunku Panglima Besar, will continue to play an important role in upholding the sovereignty of the Royal Institution of Negeri Sembilan and safeguarding the interests of the people and the state.

Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin, 44, is a passionate advocate for constitutional restoration and institutional reform in Malaysia, striving to create a fairer nation where every Malaysian has the opportunity to thrive.

He was educated at Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, Marlborough College in the United Kingdom, and the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he earned his MSc in Comparative Politics. He has worked with the UK Parliament, the World Bank, and the United Nations, and is an Eisenhower Fellow.

He is especially dedicated to education and to developing the potential of young Malaysians. He also serves as Chancellor of UCSI University, Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and President of ICAN College.

As a Trustee of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation and Patron of the Negeri Sembilan Schools Arts and Culture Programme, Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin actively champions greater access to quality education, holistic learning, and the nurturing of well-rounded future leaders.

Through these important roles and various education-focused foundations, he works tirelessly to strengthen Malaysia’s education system and open doors of opportunity for the next generation. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said attempts to bring down the Negeri Sembilan government despite political and economic stability amounted to “a degree of betrayal”.

Asked about recent claims of betrayal linked to discussions on electoral arrangements among coalition partners, Anwar, who’s also the Pakatan Harapan chairman, said such concerns would not arise if there was no betrayal.

“If there is no betrayal, that’s good,” he told reporters after attending the 10th Annual General Meeting of Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (Korpojaya).

“But if we look at our experience in Negeri Sembilan, there were certainly efforts to bring down the government despite political and economic stability. To me, that amounts to a degree of betrayal,” he added.

Anwar also urged political parties to focus on economic growth and issues affecting the public instead of becoming consumed by election speculation.

“As for Johor, it is up to them whether they want to hold an earlier election, but I say our focus should be on generating growth, the national economy and the people’s problems.

“These are the people’s concerns. If for the next three or four months we are preoccupied with elections, whereas we could spend the next two or three months focusing on the economy amid economic challenges, that is what I mean,” he said.

The prime minister said what mattered was strengthening understanding of why cooperation and consensus remained important.

“If there is no betrayal, then there is no issue. What it means is that we must improve our understanding of why cooperation and consensus are important, and when there is a need for an election at the proper time, then let it proceed,” he said.

His remarks came after Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday rejected allegations of betrayal levelled by Negeri Sembilan caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, saying the party’s support for Aminuddin’s administration was only intended to last until the dissolution of the state assembly.

Aminuddin accused Umno of betraying its allies, saying that a letter allegedly written by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to PAS leaders had revealed discussions between Perikatan Nasional and Umno on efforts to remove him as menteri besar.

Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced yesterday that polling for the Negeri Sembilan election will be held on August 1, with nominations set for July 18 and early voting on July 28.

 

SEREMBAN, June 4 — The Negri Sembilan state assembly is expected to be dissolved tomorrow, clearing the way for snap elections as the state’s political impasse continues.

According to reporting by The Star, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun is scheduled to hold a press conference after Friday prayers, where he is widely expected to announce the dissolution. Talk of an early dissolution has circulated since the start of the week.

Sources told the newspaper that Pakatan Harapan leaders have tentatively agreed on their seat allocations:PKR is expected to contest 16 seats, DAP 11, and Amanah nine in the 36‑seat assembly.

Speculation intensified on Wednesday after Aminuddin met state ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir twice — once for a routine pre‑exco briefing and again later in the day. He also cancelled his weekly media briefing at the last minute and declined to speak to reporters.

Senior state leaders, including DAP’s Anthony Loke and Amanah’s Datuk MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman, are expected to join Aminuddin at Friday’s announcement.

The political situation has been unstable since late April, when 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen from Umno withdrew support for Aminuddin’s administration, citing dissatisfaction over his handling of the state’s royal crisis. Although the state ruler later directed Aminuddin to continue his duties pending clarity, the unity government has remained strained.

On May 5, national leaders from Umno and Pakatan Harapan agreed to maintain the unity government framework in Negri Sembilan, but the 14 Umno assemblymen stood by their decision not to support Aminuddin.

Pakatan leaders have since said that dissolving the assembly is the most viable option to resolve the impasse.

The previous state election was held on Aug 12, 2023, with Pakatan winning 17 seats, Barisan 14 and Perikatan Nasional five.

 

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is ready for the Negeri Sembilan state election and remains open to continuing its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to retain the unity government in the state, its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

However, Ahmad Zahid said it was still too early to hold formal discussions on any electoral cooperation between the two coalitions.

“We are prepared for the Negeri Sembilan state election and, of course, remain very open to continuing the unity government in the state,” he told reporters after visiting the exhibition site for National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day 2026 at Dataran Putrajaya here today.

The deputy prime minister’s remarks came a day after Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun announced the dissolution of the 36-seat State Legislative Assembly to pave the way for the 16th state election.

In the 2023 state election, PH and BN formed the Negeri Sembilan government after securing a combined 31 of the 36 seats contested.

PH won 17 seats, followed by BN with 14, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured five seats.

Negeri Sembilan became the second state to dissolve its legislative assembly for a fresh election after Johor, which dissolved its State Legislative Assembly on Monday. — Bernama

 

 

SEREMBAN, June 3 — Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir today granted an audience to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun at Istana Hinggap here.

The meeting, which began at 9 am, lasted almost two hours.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Aminuddin said the audience was part of his regular weekly schedule ahead of chairing the State Executive Council meeting.

“It is the usual Wednesday meeting,” he said briefly.

Yesterday, several leaders of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the state were reported to have held a meeting at the Menteri Besar’s official residence.

Negeri Sembilan DAP secretary Cha Kee Chin said the meeting was held to discuss the coalition’s preparations for the next state election. — Bernama

 

 

SEREMBAN, June 4 — The Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly, which has 36 seats, will be officially dissolved tomorrow to pave the way for the upcoming State Election (PRN).

The announcement was made by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun during a special press conference at his official residence here tonight, bringing an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the timing of the assembly’s dissolution.

Aminuddin said the dissolution was carried out after obtaining the consent of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, during an audience at Istana Besar Seri Menanti earlier today. — Bernama