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Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has added another twist to speculation over who could become Negeri Sembilan’s next Menteri Besar, suggesting state Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias has what it takes for the job.
The Opposition leader made the remarks during a campaign event at Felcra Lakai on Tuesday night, where he joined Jalaluddin, who is defending the Pertang state seat in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election.
Hamzah said Jalaluddin was among the individuals capable of leading the state should the newly forged BN-PN alliance wrest control of Negeri Sembilan from Pakatan Harapan (PH).
However, he acknowledged that naming a Menteri Besar candidate remained “a little problematic” and stressed that the matter should be jointly decided by both coalition partners.
“If possible, the leaders of these two blue coalitions should sit down and decide who we can announce.
“It would not be fair for me to answer whether PN will propose Jalaluddin as Menteri Besar because BN also has to sit down with us.
“We know who we want, but if BN has someone else in mind, then we will discuss it,” Hamzah was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.
READ MORE: Negeri Sembilan Nomination Day: The Battle Is On
Despite hinting that PN already has a preferred candidate, Hamzah maintained that the announcement should come from BN.
“We want the Menteri Besar to come from BN, so we leave it to the BN leadership to announce the candidate,” he said.
Although Hamzah did not identify the other leader he was referring to, his remarks are widely believed to point to former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, is defending the Rantau state seat, which he has held since 2004. Despite also serving as the MP for Rembau, he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures and currently chairs Negeri Sembilan BN.
He served as Menteri Besar from 2004 until BN lost the state to PH in the 2018 general election. Following that defeat, Mohamad became the state’s Opposition leader until 2023, when PH and BN formed a unity government in Negeri Sembilan, mirroring the arrangement at the federal level.
With Hamzah publicly describing Jalaluddin as Menteri Besar material while simultaneously leaving the final decision to BN, the comments are likely to intensify speculation over who the alliance will eventually name should it secure victory on Aug 1.
READ MORE: PN Wants To Ditch Voter Confusion, But Might Create Pronunciation Confusion Instead
BN and PN enter the election as partner, with BN contesting 25 seats while the remaining 11 were contested by PN. The group will square against PH and also Bersatu, who is contesting the election using its own logo despite still a PN component party.
This comes after a strained relationship with PAS following Hamzah and his followers being purged from Bersatu last February.
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