Zahid Dismisses Claim Of MB Appointment Interference As ‘Senile Talk’

The BN chairman says submitting the proposed Menteri Besar’s name to the palace was part of his duty, rejecting allegations that he interfered in Negeri Sembilan’s constitutional customs.

In Brief

Zahid dismissed claims of interfering in Negeri Sembilan's MB appointment, calling the allegations "senile remarks" from someone misunderstanding political reality.
Zahid said submitting the proposed MB candidate to the palace was simply his responsibility as BN chairman.

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Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed claims that he interfered in Negeri Sembilan’s constitutional customs during the appointment of the state’s new Menteri Besar, describing the allegations as the remarks of someone who is “senile”.

Zahid said he was merely carrying out his responsibility as BN chairman by submitting the coalition’s proposed Menteri Besar candidate to the Negeri Sembilan palace after BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) formed the new state government.

The BN-PN alliance secured 25 of the 36 seats contested in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, enabling the coalition to take over the administration from Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“I do not wish to entertain the senile remarks of someone who fails to understand the political reality that a name must be submitted to the palace.

“As BN chairman, it is naturally my responsibility to submit the letter of appointment as well as the proposed name,” Zahid, who is also Umno president, was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

His remarks were made following Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan) chairman Tan Sri Rais Yatim’s allegation that there had been external interference in Negeri Sembilan’s constitutional customs following Zahid’s audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on the night of 1 August.

The following day, Juasseh assemblyman Datuk Ismail Lasim was sworn in as the state’s new Menteri Besar, despite not being widely regarded as the frontrunner for the post.

Ismail, an Umno Supreme Council member, has remained undefeated in elections since first winning the Senaling state seat in 1999.

Despite this, Rais, who is also a former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar himself, questioned Ismail’s appointment, arguing that it appeared to overlook the contributions of Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.

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