PUTRAJAYA, April 30 — All 14 assemblymen from Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in Negeri Sembilan have agreed to continue supporting the state Unity Government to ensure political stability, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president said the decision was reached following a discussion session held with all the representatives involved today.

“The move taken by all the assemblymen was initially driven by good intentions to ensure that the royal institution and customs in Negeri Sembilan continue to be respected and upheld by all, especially Umno and BN representatives,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said this after officiating and witnessing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony between MyDigital ID Sdn Bhd and its strategic partners.

He said the party at the national level respects the views of the assemblymen, but all of them have ultimately agreed to continue supporting the Unity Government in Negeri Sembilan to avoid any disruption, in the interest of the people.

In addition, Ahmad Zahid, who is also BN chairman, said that as the country is currently facing global economic challenges, all parties must remain united in supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to ensure political stability.

“What the Prime Minister aspires to achieve is political stability so that we can collectively face what is described as this global crisis, for the benefit of the people as a whole,” he said.

When asked whether the move by the assemblymen was aimed at replacing the Menteri Besar, Ahmad Zahid said any disputes should be resolved through discussions.

“BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have an 18-point agreement. One of its key elements is that if there are any disputes or issues, we must return to the negotiating table to reach a resolution,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — DAP secretary‑general Anthony Loke has said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi does not support the formation of a new government or a “backdoor administration” in Negeri Sembilan.

As reported by Berita Harian (BH), Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said Zahid conveyed the position in his capacity as deputy prime minister during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, following the move by 14 Umno assemblymen to withdraw support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

He stressed that the state government led by Aminuddin continues to function as usual.

“Yesterday, the Umno political bureau also issued a statement that although 14 assemblymen were said to have lost confidence in the menteri besar, they still support the Unity Government.

“With Zahid himself stating the same stance in Cabinet, it means the Umno president does not agree with forming a new government or a backdoor administration.

“This means the existing government remains the Unity Government in Negeri Sembilan, ensuring stability and continuity in the state’s administration. I believe this clarification will help ease the situation,” Loke told BH today.

On the ongoing dispute involving customary institutions and the state constitution, Loke said the matter must be resolved internally.

“We cannot intervene. At the government level, our priority is to ensure the administration continues as usual. The menteri besar, the executive council and the assemblymen are functioning and working as normal. I believe this will guarantee stability,” he was quoted as saying.

PETALING JAYA, April 29 — Negeri Sembilan Umno leaders have dismissed speculation that several of their assemblymen may return to support the state Pakatan Harapan government, insisting they will act only on instructions from party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Star reported that state Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias rejected claims that four assemblymen were preparing to reverse their decision and back Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. He said the bloc’s move to withdraw support earlier this week was unanimous.

“When the 14 of us made a decision to declare a loss of confidence in Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun’s leadership on Monday, it was made en bloc. So, this talk of four Umno assemblymen going back on their word is not true,” he was quoted as saying.

Lenggeng assemblyman Datuk Mohd Asna Mohd Amin told Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that no directive had been received from the central leadership. “

As a loyal party member, I will take my orders from the president,” he told the paper, adding: “As long as there are no orders (to return to the exco), these rumours will remain just that: rumours.”

On Monday, Jalaluddin announced that all 14 Umno assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan had withdrawn their support for Aminuddin’s administration, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership.

CYBERJAYA, April 28 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has voiced support for the Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to be upgraded to a department to strengthen the division’s capacity in dealing with increasingly complex consumerism and enforcement issues.

He said the role of the enforcement team is no longer limited to traditional enforcement, but rather encompasses domestic trade issues, subsidy leakage and cross-border smuggling involving various ministries and agencies.

“The time has come for the Enforcement Division to be upgraded to the Enforcement Department. Datuk Armizan (Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living) has brought this proposal to the Cabinet (and) I will support the proposal in the Cabinet meeting,” he said.

He said this when speaking at KPDN’s 54th Enforcement Day Celebration and the launch of the National Consumer Policy 2.0, here today.

Also present were Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and his deputy Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh and KPDN enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam.

Ahmad Zahid said that when issues related to consumerism and trade occur, the enforcement team is often the front line that is referred to by the government and the community.

He stressed that the increasing responsibility requires the strength of the organisation to be equivalent in terms of structure, human resources and operational capabilities.

“When the task becomes more challenging and the responsibility becomes greater, it seems that the strength of the team also has to keep pace,” he said.

Therefore, Ahmad Zahid hoped that the Public Service Department (JPA) could examine the proposal comprehensively to ensure that the restructuring could increase the effectiveness of enforcement.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said that enforcement today could no longer be conventional, but instead needed to utilise technology, data and intelligence to ensure faster and more accurate action in dealing with subsidy abuse, price manipulation and modern trade crimes.

He also praised the success of enforcement operations such as Ops Tiris which recorded seizures of more than RM260 million since 2023, in addition to the implementation of more than one million inspections within a year.

Ahmad Zahid said consumer protection in an increasingly complex world was no longer an option, but rather a national necessity to ensure market stability and the well-being of the people were maintained. — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — The political crisis in Negeri Sembilan will be resolved through political means, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

Zahid said the party had never interfered in the administration of the state government or matters involving Negeri Sembilan’s adat laws, according to a report by Sinar Harian today.

“We will find the best solution to ensure a stable government in Negeri Sembilan can continue to serve and address the people’s problems,” he told reporters after officiating the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement day celebration in Cyberjaya today.

His remarks come after all 14 Barisan Nasional assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan unanimously withdrew support for the state government led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

BN state chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the decision followed a crisis involving the state’s adat institutions and constitutional matters.

The situation has drawn attention following claims involving the Undang Luak and discussions surrounding the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Earlier, the state government said the Negeri Sembilan Council of Justice and Undang had advised Luak Sungai Ujong to accept the termination of Datuk Mubarak Dohak as holder of the Dato’ Klana Petra title.

The crisis has also led to the postponement of the Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly sitting, which was originally scheduled to run for four days despite having been officially opened by the ruler last week.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a state election in Negeri Sembilan is unlikely amid ongoing political uncertainty in the state.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, however said the matter depends on the decision of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as well as proceedings in the State Legislative Assembly.

“Not likely. It depends, because it is up to Tuanku, and of course the assembly sitting,” he told reporters after a private meeting with Huawei’s top management, held in conjunction with the launch of the Huawei AI Lab and Innovation Centre here today.

He was responding to a question on whether a state election would be called to resolve the situation.

Earlier, the prime minister said any developments concerning the Negeri Sembilan state administration would be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would meet Anwar soon to discuss the matter.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the meeting would, among other things, touch on the move by 14 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen to withdraw support for the state government led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Negeri Sembilan remains in a state of political paralysis as a rare royal constitutional dispute has snowballed into a power tussle that threatens to end Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun’s leadership.

As of Tuesday morning, the PKR leader is clinging to power following a dramatic withdrawal of support by his coalition partners, while federal leaders scramble to prevent a total collapse of the state government.

Here is the latest update on the unfolding situation:

The dispute over the throne

The crisis originated within the state’s unique customary structure, Adat Perpatih. On April 19, the four Undang Yang Empat (territorial chieftains) declared they were “deposing” the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, naming Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the successor.

Aminuddin dismissed the move as unconstitutional, arguing that the lead chieftain, Datuk Mubarak Dohak, had been stripped of his title days earlier. 

The standoff led to an indefinite postponement of the State Legislative Assembly on April 23 after the Undangs boycotted the opening ceremony.

The political fallout

On Monday, the state’s political stability fractured. All 14 Umno state assemblymen officially declared a loss of confidence in Aminuddin, accusing him of “mishandling” the royal crisis and failing to respect traditional institutions.

Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias with other Umno assemblymen during a press conference declaring their withdrawal of support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun in Seremban April 27, 2026.

With Umno’s exit, Aminuddin’s PH coalition is left with only 17 seats, falling one short of the 19 seats required for a simple majority in the 36-seat assembly.

Perikatan Nasional (PN), holding 5 seats, has already offered to form a “Unity Government” with Umno to oust the current administration.

Aminuddin: We still lead 

Following an emergency audience with the Ruler and a subsequent meeting with state DAP leaders on Monday afternoon, Aminuddin told a press conference he would remain in office for the time being.

“Tuanku Muhriz has advised that the state administration must continue to function as usual to protect the interests of the rakyat (people) while the status of the majority is conclusively clarified,” he said.

But the MB conceded that the government is in a state of flux, confirming that Umno assemblymen would be removed from the state executive council following their retraction of support.

Perikatan Nasional’s Labu assemblyman Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker (third from right) handing over a letter of cooperation to Negeri Sembilan Umno secretary Datuk Mustapha Nagoor during a press conference at the Royale Chulan Seremban hotel in Seremban April 27, 2026. — Picture by Ida Lim

Zahid Hamidi’s intervention

At the federal level, Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi moved to contain the fire, stating that a final decision rests with the central leadership, even as the state Umno chapter has shown keeness to form a new coalition with PN.

Zahid told reporters here this evening that he would be chairing an emergency Umno Supreme Council meeting, and later meet the 14 Umno assemblymen together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrives for an event at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) in Kuala Lumpur April 27, 2026. —Picture by Firdaus Latif

“They did inform us but the decision was made by the state Umno chapter. However, the final verdict on the matter will ultimately come from us (Umno’s central leadership),” he said.

Barisan Nasional claims simple majority

Negeri Sembilan Umno and Barisan Nasional last night declared that they had obtained a simple majority to form the state government with the support of the five PN assemblymen.

The Umno assemblymen said PN’s support gave Umno-BN the numbers needed to form the state government, adding that the interests of the people of Negeri Sembilan must come before partisan considerations.

What happens next?

The state currently sits in a legal vacuum with two possible paths forward. If Umno and PN can present 19 statutory declarations to the Palace, Tuanku Muhriz may be compelled to appoint a new MB.

Meanwhile, Aminuddin could seek a dissolution of the assembly to trigger snap state elections, though the Ruler has the discretion to refuse if a stable alternative is available.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — The decision by 14 Umno assemblymen to withdraw support from the Negeri Sembilan state government was made by the state chapter independently, party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

Speaking to reporters at the World Trade Centre here today, Zahid said the matter will now be deliberated by the party’s Political Bureau and the Umno Supreme Council.

“They did inform us but the decision was made by the state Umno chapter,” Zahid said when asked if the assemblymen had acted without the party leadership’s knowledge. 

“However, the final verdict on the matter will ultimately come from us (Umno’s central leadership).”

Zahid added that he will meet the 14 Umno assemblymen involved and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon to discuss the political crisis unfolding in Negeri Sembilan.

The deputy prime minister said that Umno usually respects and accommodates decisions made by state Umno liaison bodies.

Negeri Sembilan was thrown into a constitutional crisis after the Undang Yang Empat declared on April 19 that Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir had been removed as state ruler and named his predecessor’s son, Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar, as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

The Undang Yang Empat — comprising the chiefs of the Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau traditional territories — are the highest-ranking customary leaders responsible for appointing the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

However, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun rejected the Undang Yang Empat’s decision, saying it lacked legal basis.

The standoff also saw the four Undangs boycott the opening of the State Legislative Assembly on April 23, although the ceremony proceeded with Tuanku Muhriz officiating.

Citing dissatisfaction over Aminuddin’s handling of the crisis, 14 Umno-Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrew support for his government today, while the five Perikatan Nasional assemblymen pledged readiness to work with their Umno counterparts.

Zahid did not explicitly dismiss possible cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional, but described the latter’s readiness to work together as an “attempt to seize political opportunity”.

The Negeri Sembilan state assembly consists of 36 seats, with a simple majority of 19 needed to form the government.

Pakatan Harapan currently controls 17 seats, while Umno holds 14 seats and Perikatan Nasional has five seats.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party has yet to decide whether it will push for an early general election.

Speaking to reporters at the World Trade Centre here today, the deputy prime minister said the matter would be discussed by his party.

“Whether Umno wants an early general election, that is something we will discuss,” he said.

On April 24, Bloomberg reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is considering the possibility of holding a general election in the third quarter, as his administration evaluates politically sensitive cuts to fuel subsidies amid continued global energy pressures.

Anwar, whose current term runs until early 2028, is understood to be weighing the option of an election as soon as October.

It was also reported that discussions remain at an early stage, and no final decision has been taken.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he would refer to the top BN leadership following the action of 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno/BN assemblymen withdrawing support for the Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, before issuing an official statement.

He said he also needed to obtain detailed information and discuss with the top leadership before issuing any official statement on the status of the state government.

“I will refer this matter to the Barisan Nasional chairman (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) first,” he told reporters after the Higher Education Minister’s media briefing for the Second Joint Committee (JC) Meeting between Malaysia and Turkey and the Bumiputera Education Congress at Menara Dato Onn here today.

He said this when asked to comment on the action of all 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno/BN assemblymen expressing their loss of confidence and withdrawal of support for Aminuddin, thus sparking speculation about the stability of the Unity Government in the state. — Bernama