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UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) have officially withdrawn their support for Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, triggering a political crisis in the state
The 14 UMNO assemblymen reached a unanimous decision on 27 April, at Wisma UMNO. UMNO is a component party of the BN coalition.
In a press conference, Negeri Sembilan UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said all 14 assemblymen were withdrawing their support for the state government.
According to the New Straits Times, they cited a loss in confidence in the menteri besar over his handling of a royal constitutional dispute involving the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Negeri Sembilan is unique among Malaysian states for having an elected, rather than strictly hereditary, monarchy rooted in the Adat Perpatih matrilineal system
Unlike other Malay states where the eldest son typically becomes the Sultan, in Negeri Sembilan, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (or Yamtuan Besar) is chosen by the four ruling chiefs, known as the Undang Yang Empat.
The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir was chosen as the state's monarch following the Adat Perpatih customs and laws.
Image via Harian Metro / BernamaThe political crisis began on 19 April when four Negeri Sembilan Undangs, led by former Undang of Sungei Ujong Datuk Mubarak Dohak, declared the removal of the state's monarch, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, citing alleged "misconduct"
According to The Star, Mubarak, together with Undang Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, and Undang Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, held a meeting and reached an agreement to remove Tuanku Muhriz as the state's monarch.
They did not elaborate or specify the alleged misconduct. In the same declaration, the Undangs named Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar (the Tunku Panglima Besar) as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Tunku Nadzaruddin is the son of Tuanku Ja'afar, who served as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan from 1967 to 2008.
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (centre) flanked by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke (left) and Negeri Sembilan Amanah chairman Datuk MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman.
Image via New Straits Times / BernamaThe following day, 20 April, Aminuddin dismissed Mubarak's declaration as illegal, saying he lacked the authority to make such a move
In a statement, Aminuddin cited Articles 10 to 13 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959, explaining that Mubarak no longer held the authority as he was removed as the Undang on 13 May 2025.
Mubarak was allegedly removed due to 33 customary offences, which were not specified by Aminuddin.
On 17 April, the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) — the constitutional body that manages traditional royal affairs for the Negeri Sembilan monarchy — sat and advised that his dismissal be accepted.
Under the advice of the Telaga Undang and Waris Klana Hulu Sg Ujong, Mubarak was removed as Undang.
The Telaga Undang also confirmed that Mubarak had been removed and described his actions as an act of treason.
Despite the loss of UMNO support, Aminuddin confirmed he would continue his duties as menteri besar as normal and lead a 'minority government' without having to dissolve the Negeri Sembilan state assembly
According to Malaysiakini, this decision comes following instructions he received from Tuanku Muhriz after briefing him on the situation on 27 April.
The Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition alongside Aminuddin's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), has also stood by the current menteri besar. Secretary-General Anthony Loke confirmed that all 11 DAP assemblymen still support Aminuddin's leadership.
Negeri Sembilan has 36 state seats. Following the state election in 2023, BN formed the state government together with PH after winning 31 seats.
With the BN assemblymen leaving the state government, the current seat composition in the state is as follows:
- Pakatan Harapan (PH): 17
- Barisan Nasional (BH): 14
- Perikatan Nasional (PN): 5
Meanwhile, Harian Metro reported that the five assemblymen from PN are reportedly ready to cooperate with UMNO to ensure administrative continuity in the state.
UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the move by the BN state assemblymen to leave the Negeri Sembilan PH coalition was made at the state level
According to the New Straits Times, he said the matter will be discussed at the UMNO Supreme Council and UMNO Political Bureau meetings.
He added that UMNO and BN will not interfere in state governance and customary laws, as the crisis will be resolved politically.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that a state election is unlikely as it depends on the decision made by Tuanku Muhriz.
A political expert said there are only two ways the Negeri Sembilan political crisis could unfold
Speaking to Harian Metro, political analyst Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub from Universiti Malaya said the first is the dissolution of the state assembly for a fresh state election.
The second option is the formation of a new political partnership.
However, he noted that a formal alliance between UMNO and PN remains difficult at this stage.
