SEREMBAN, May 20 — Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has not ruled out the possibility of the state election being held this year, although the matter is still under consideration.
The state Pakatan Harapan chairman said the possibility of holding the election simultaneously with neighbouring states Melaka and Johor would also be looked into.
“The possibility is there (for a state election). In politics, anything is possible. Maybe this year or next year, InsyaAllah (God willing).
“We will see when our neighbouring states (Melaka and Johor) hold their elections, and perhaps we can hold them simultaneously. That will be considered,” he told the media after chairing the State Executive Council meeting at Wisma Negeri today.
Regarding the upcoming State Legislative Assembly sitting, Aminuddin said they are currently studying suitable dates, as the Assembly term only ends on October 24.
“The state government is looking at a suitable date to convene the sitting…there are about six months left, and at the latest by October 24. If no sitting is held by then, the Assembly will dissolve automatically,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked whether Negeri Sembilan Harapan would contest solo without Barisan Nasional (BN), Aminuddin said the decision rested with the central leadership.
Although there were strong views within the state Harapan for the coalition to go solo, the current political landscape could change according to circumstances, and cooperation between parties could still be revived in the future.
In the 15th state election on August 12, 2023, BN won 14 seats, Harapan secured 17 seats, while Perikatan Nasional won five seats.
In another development, he said he is currently assuming the duties of the state executive councillor (exco) for rural development, plantations and commodities; agriculture, food security and cost of living; and education, following the vacancies in the BN-held exco positions.
The Youth and Sports portfolio is overseen by Nicole Tan, the Heritage and Technology portfolio by Datuk Noor Zunita Begum Mohd Ibrahim, and the Innovation and Digital portfolio by J. Arul Kumar.
Last month, 14 BN state assemblymen withdrew their support due to a loss of confidence in Aminuddin, resulting in four state executive councillor positions held by the coalition becoming vacant.
