SEREMBAN: Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the people of Negeri Sembilan to give the coalition a mandate in the 16th State Election (PRN) to continue to govern the state.
The Prime Minister said the support was important to enable the full mandate to be given to Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun to be reappointed as Menteri Besar so that the state’s future would be more secure.
“Now, I ask for a mandate from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government of Negeri Sembilan… for this mandate, Tok Min (Aminuddin Harun) is appointed as Menteri Besar.
“God willing, the future of Negeri Sembilan will be more secure. The future of this state is the future of workers, small traders,” he said when launching the Negeri Sembilan PH election machinery here tonight.
Also present were PH Deputy Chairman Anthony Loke, PH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, PKR Information Chief and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and other top leadership.
Anwar also stressed that the current ruling government is focusing on efforts to safeguard the welfare of the people and strengthen the country’s economy through investment.
He said Malaysia’s investment performance showed encouraging development compared to several neighbouring countries, with several states also recording rapid growth.
“I want to emphasize again, we govern for the welfare of the people. We want to work as best as possible,” he said, adding that among the states that have shown a surge in development are Johor and Negeri Sembilan as a result of increased economic activity and investment coming into the country.
Meanwhile, he stressed that the government does not adopt a hostile approach despite political differences among leaders.
“I don’t want to be enemies, the right wing (of the Unity Government) of the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the UMNO President, we are working as usual out of love for the people,” he said.
Anwar said political stability and cooperation among parties in the Unity Government were important to ensure that the national development agenda could be implemented effectively for the well-being of the people.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the Federal Government does not interfere in matters involving royal institutions in Negeri Sembilan, but rather all matters must be resolved in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.
He said that although there were various views regarding the monarchy system in the state, the Federal Government still respected the jurisdiction of the state government and the institution of the Yang Dipertuan Besar.
“I know that in Negeri Sembilan there are those who disagree with my decision. I do not interfere, I do not interfere in state affairs,” he said.
Anwar said he and government representatives had held discussions with relevant parties, including the state’s law enforcement, but stressed that he did not dispute the Adat Perpatih or the state’s system and constitution.
“Did I not contact Undang? I did contact Undang… I do not dispute Adat Perpatih, Undang, Luak, I do not dispute. That is the state constitution but for now, everything is not in order and in order, we have a Menteri Besar, we have a Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan,” he said.
The Prime Minister also reminded all parties not to make the royal institution a source of political controversy that could affect the stability of the country and the Constitutional Monarchy system.
“We say we support the monarchy system, but at the same time we are working to overthrow the monarchy. I do not agree. Any changes must follow constitutional rules,” said Anwar.
— BERNAMA