Mohamad Hasan's silence deepens intrigue as Negeri Sembilan crisis threatens wider political fallout

Political analysts say the absence of a firm position by politicians reflects growing tension between the political manoeuvring in Negeri Sembilan and the realities of Umno's cooperation with Pakatan Harapan at the federal level.

KUALA LUMPUR: As Negeri Sembilan’s constitutional and political crisis enters an increasingly volatile phase, one question continues to dominate political circles: where does Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stand?

The Umno deputy president, better known as Tok Mat, has remained conspicuously restrained despite being the assemblyman for Rantau — one of the 14 Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen who withdrew support for Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun earlier this week.

Mohamad’s silence has become even more significant given his stature within Umno and his deep roots in Negeri Sembilan politics. He served as menteri besar from 2004 until 2018 and remains one of the most influential political figures in the state. Mohamad is also the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Yet, despite the escalating crisis involving the Negeri Sembilan monarchy, the menteri besar’s position, and a possible realignment of political power, Mohamad has not publicly clarified whether he personally supports the move by the 14 BN assemblymen.

Political analysts say the absence of a firm position reflects growing tension between state-level political manoeuvring and the realities of Umno’s cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the federal level.

Pacific Research Centre principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun described Mohamad as being caught between a rock and a hard place.

“If, as a national-level senior party leader who values federal ruling coalition harmony, Tok Mat breaks rank with the other Umno assemblymen and continues supporting Aminuddin, he risks alienating his own state party machinery,” Oh told Twentytwo13.

“However, if he stands firmly with the other Umno assemblymen, he risks being labelled a troublemaker at the federal level and could jeopardise his national political ambitions.”

Oh warned that the impasse was rapidly evolving into a constitutional stalemate, adding that the clearest solution might ultimately be the dissolution of the state assembly and a fresh election.

The crisis erupted after all 14 Umno assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan announced that they had withdrawn support for Aminuddin, citing dissatisfaction linked to the ongoing dispute involving the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, and four Undang (chieftains).

The controversy began when former Sungai Ujong Undang Mubarak Dohak, together with three others, announced the removal of Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar on April 19.

However, Aminuddin subsequently stated that the state government did not recognise the move, arguing that Mubarak himself had already been lawfully removed as Undang in May last year for allegedly breaching customary laws.

The political fallout escalated further after Negeri Sembilan BN claimed it had secured enough support to form a new state government with backing from Perikatan Nasional’s five assemblymen, giving the bloc a simple majority of 19 seats in the 36-seat assembly.

Despite the claim, Aminuddin insisted he remains the legitimate menteri besar and said he would continue carrying out his duties after receiving advice from Tuanku Muhriz following a royal audience.

Speaking after chairing the PH presidential council meeting yesterday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Aminuddin should continue discharging his responsibilities while the constitutional processes take their course.

The prime minister also stressed that the issue should be handled carefully and prudently to preserve political stability and respect constitutional principles.

Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Professor Dr Azmi Hassan said Aminuddin could technically remain menteri besar unless and until his majority support is formally tested in the state assembly.

“If Tuanku Muhriz believes Aminuddin still commands majority support, then he can continue because his legitimacy has not yet been determined in the Dewan Undangan Negeri,” Azmi said.

“At the moment, claims of majority support are based only on statutory declarations announced by BN.”

Azmi also suggested that Mohamad’s silence could be part of a deliberate strategy by Umno’s top leadership.

“The party leadership is allowing the matter to develop without clearly stating whether it supports or opposes the actions of the 14 assemblymen,” he said.

He pointed to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s remarks that the move was initiated at the state level and did not reflect the party’s national position.

Azmi added that the crisis was unlikely to immediately destabilise the federal government as long as Umno MPs continued backing Anwar in Parliament.

“Until Parliament is dissolved, Umno MPs will continue supporting the prime minister,” he said.

However, analysts warned the Negeri Sembilan crisis could have long-term implications for the PH-BN relationship heading into the 16th General Election.

Oh said the episode risked exposing a deep underlying distrust between both coalitions.

“It could crack wide open what has so far been an invisible rift between Umno and PH, potentially leading them to go separate ways in the next general election,” he said.

Professor James Chin of Monash University Malaysia said the political consequences could be severe if Umno ultimately cooperates with PN to remove a PH menteri besar.

“If they manage to get rid of this Pakatan Harapan menteri besar, it will destroy trust between Umno and Pakatan,” Chin told Twentytwo13.

“It would show Umno is willing to work with anybody, including the opposition, in order to capture power.”

Chin maintained that Aminuddin could remain menteri besar under Westminster constitutional convention unless his support is tested through a formal vote of no confidence in the state assembly.

“The only constitutional way to remove him is through a vote of no confidence,” he said.

“Since the assembly sitting has been postponed, that process cannot currently take place.”

He also interpreted Mohamad’s silence as evidence that there was no full consensus within Umno’s top leadership.

“If Ahmad Zahid was completely on board, Tok Mat would have moved much earlier,” he said.

Amid the political uncertainty, constitutional expert Datuk Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain argued that the concept of a minority government does not exist under the Negeri Sembilan state constitution.

Wan Ahmad Fauzi said the menteri besar’s appointment was ultimately derived from the mandate of the ruler and the state’s co-rulers — comprising the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the Undang, and the Tunku Besar Tampin — rather than purely electoral arithmetic.

He argued that once a menteri besar loses majority support, he must either seek the dissolution of the assembly or resign if such a request is not granted.

“The state constitution does not allow a menteri besar who no longer commands majority confidence to continue leading the administration,” he said when contacted.

He also cautioned against political actors creating “minority government” narratives that contradict constitutional principles.

While constitutional arguments continue to dominate public debate, political manoeuvring on the ground has intensified.

Aminuddin dismissed rumours circulating on social media claiming four Umno assemblymen were preparing to reverse their decision and return to supporting his administration in exchange for state executive council positions.

He said no decision had yet been made regarding the four vacant exco posts previously held by Umno representatives.

He also hinted that the state government could review allocations, village chief appointments, and local council positions linked to the 14 Umno assemblymen.

At the same time, it was reported that the four Undang and other traditional leaders held a closed-door meeting at the royal hall of Sungai Ujong in Seremban.

Among those present were former Sungai Ujong Undang Mubarak Dohak, Undang Jelebu Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang Johol Muhammad Abdullah, Undang Rembau Abdul Rahim Yasin, and Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al Qadri.

Following the meeting, Telaga Undang Sarifah Norzaidah Al-Qadri issued a statement stressing that the Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong in Ampangan should no longer be used for adat istiadat (customary) ceremonies following Mubarak’s dismissal as the holder of the Undang title on May 13 last year.

She added that no ceremonies should be conducted there without authorisation from the relevant customary authorities.

Meanwhile, civil society groups aligned with PKR are beginning to mobilise publicly in support of Tuanku Muhriz and the menteri besar.

Pertubuhan Otai Reformasi Negeri Sembilan announced plans to submit a memorandum pledging loyalty and support to Tuanku Muhriz and Aminuddin at Istana Hinggap in Seremban tomorrow.