Learn from Negeri Sembilan crisis, Mat Sabu tells Melaka voters

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu has called on voters in Melaka to vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Nov 14 state polls, urging them to learn from the political crisis which Barisan Nasional (BN) triggered in Negeri Sembilan.

Speaking at a ceramah on Tabung Haji in Melaka last night, Mohamad said BN attempted to oust then Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun in April in hopes of seizing power.

He likened this to the Sheraton Move in February 2020, which saw Bersatu and a handful of PKR MPs joining hands with BN and PAS to topple the PH-led federal government.

“Aminuddin was doing an excellent job as menteri besar, they should have allowed him to see out his term (which was set to expire in 2028).

“But (BN’s) 14 assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin. This was like the Sheraton Move. Midway through the term, they tried to seize power,” he said.

Urging voters in Melaka to learn from this episode, the five-term MP said the upcoming election offered them the chance to “put Malaysian politics back on the right track”.

“Let what happened in Negeri Sembilan serve as a lesson. Help return Melaka under PH rule.

“Help PH cross the 15-seat (simple majority) mark. Our representatives will take their oaths and continue the glorious administration that we had years ago.”

Mohamad, also known as Mat Sabu, was referring to the Melaka government led by Adly Zahari, the state PH chief, from 2018 to 2020. His government also collapsed following the Sheraton Move.

PH has yet to decide whether to form an election pact or go solo in the Nov 14 Melaka polls.

Ruling state coalition BN previously said it would hold negotiations with all potential parties on a possible alliance, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) has been courting the Umno-led coalition.

BN initially stated its intention to work with PAS-led PN in Melaka following their alliance’s convincing victory in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan polls.

Bersatu, a PN component that will contest under its own banner, has also stated openness to pacts with other parties.