MEDIA reports that the Negeri Sembilan Umno/Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman, Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, defended the decision to withdraw support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Pertang Assemblyman (Adun) and Jelebu Member of Parliament stated that the decision by the 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno/BN assemblymen was taken to defend party principles and prevent political interference in matters related to the state’s royal and customary institutions.
He also argues that Umno’s withdrawal of support in Negeri Sembilan isn’t “tebuk atap” because UMNO is already in power. In other words, based on his logic it’s not ‘tebuk atap’ if you’re already in the house.
Anyway, Jalaluddin is trying his best to frame this as a “principled withdrawal” due to the state’s constitutional/palace crisis, rather than a power grab.
With due respect, his logic faces a major hurdle, lest he forget that the original ‘tebuk atap’ (Sheraton Move) happened while Bersatu was also a core part of the ruling government.
Jelebu MP says N9 isn’t ‘tebuk atap’ because UMNO is already in government.
According to Jelebu MP’s fragile logic, it’s not ‘tebuk atap’ if you’re already in the house. By that logic, the Sheraton Move wasn’t ‘tebuk atap’ either, since Bersatu was in government then too.
In the meantime Umno President claims that Negeri Sembilan Perikatan Nasional (PN) is trying to ‘seize’ the opportunity following Negeri Sembilan UMNO’s decision to withdraw support for Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Based on media reports UMNO/Barisan Nasional, led by Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, withdrew support for Aminuddin on April 27, 2026, following a boycott of the State Assembly by the Undangs.
He stated that the decision was made unanimously by all 14 ADUNs (Assemblymen) due to a loss of confidence in Aminuddin’s leadership.
Negeri Sembilan PN then expressed support for the UMNO-BN leadership which withdrew its support for the state government led by Aminuddin.
It is hardly surprising to see the UMNO President attempt to shift the blame onto the PN for the current impasse.
Predictably, the UMNO President is spinning the N9 crisis by blaming PN. However, his ancient rhetoric seems to overlook the fact that UMNO was also a primary beneficiary and supporter of the 2020 Sheraton Move—a maneuver that dismantled the democratically elected PH government and effectively disregarded the people’s mandate.
To our chagrin Zahid conveniently forgets that it was UMNO that fully endorsed the Sheraton Move, working from the inside to topple a PH government that held a clear electoral mandate. One cannot claim to protect the mandate now after helping to bury it in 2020. Consistency matters, YB!
***Mohamed Hanipa Maidin is a former deputy minister of law