I didn’t want early elections, why were they impatient, says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim today expressed his objection to calling early elections for Negeri Sembilan when the state government is only in its third year.

Anwar, who is also the prime minister, revealed that he conveyed his dissatisfaction to state PH chairman Aminuddin Harun but stated there were “no (other) choices” due to uncertainty from Umno, whose 14 assemblymen retracted their support for Aminuddin as menteri besar, only to backtrack later.

“This is ‘wayang kulit’ (political theatre),” he said today when launching the Negeri Sembilan PH election machinery in Seremban. “We are forced to have an election so that the people can make the choice.”

Anwar also criticised Umno’s “impatience” behind calls for early polls in Negeri Sembilan and Johor, whose state government still has a year left.

“Be patient for a while, then have the elections. But no…(they are) confident of bringing down the Negeri Sembilan (government). There is no patience here,” h said, added that the spirit of unity should have been maintained “at least until the next elections” .

Anwar urged Negeri Sembilan voters to give their mandate to a PH-led government this time. “Make Tok Min (Aminuddin) the rightful menteri besar again,” he said. “God willing, the future of Negeri Sembilan will be more secure.”

In the old state assembly, Aminuddin had led a coalition state government comprising PH and Umno.

Anwar said the state’s future is for the workers, smallholders, hawkers and businessmen, and not just the ultra wealthy.

The Negeri Sembilan state assembly was dissolved on June 4 to make way for the polls, which will take place on August 1.

The move follows weeks of political tension, triggered last month when all 14 Umno-Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrew their support for Aminuddin. Umno’s central leadership subsequently ordered its assemblymen to continue backing the state government, but both PH and Umno leaders publicly called for dissolution as the cleanest resolution.