SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias has denied claims that he intends to replace Datuk Ismail Lasim as menteri besar.
The Pertang assemblyman said there was no move to table a motion of no confidence against Ismail at the next state assembly sitting.
He said the claims were untrue and deliberately raised by certain parties to sow discord among leaders.
“The claim that I want to take over as menteri besar is untrue. Have you heard me say that I want to oust the menteri besar?
“I made it clear at the meeting earlier that this is completely untrue, although even this morning there were still parties claiming that we would table a motion of no confidence against the menteri besar.
“There is no such move. Where did this story come from? There should be no attempt to pit leaders against one another.
“My responsibility is to ensure political stability in the state is strengthened from time to time, while the menteri besar’s role is to continue administering the state government,” said Jalaluddin, who is Jelebu MP.
He was speaking to reporters after chairing the Negri Sembilan Umno liaison committee meeting at Wisma Umno today.
The meeting, which lasted about two hours and began at 10.30am, was attended by 25 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen, including Ismail, as well as all state Umno committee members and division chiefs.
On the customary and constitutional crisis, Jalaluddin said he was leaving the matter to Ismail’s discretion.
He also denied any split within BN, including claims of an Ismail camp and a Jalaluddin camp.
“There are no camps and no divisions among the leaders. We are focused on our duties and responsibilities based on the mandate given by the people in the state election on Aug 1,” he said.
He said the focus now was on ensuring good governance for the benefit of the people and the state’s development.
Ismail, who is Juasseh assemblyman, described claims that he would be replaced by Jalaluddin as menteri besar as mere speculation, adding that he remained in office and was carrying out his duties as usual.