Anwar: Attempts to topple stable Negeri Sembilan govt amount to ‘a degree of betrayal’

PUTRAJAYA, June 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said attempts to bring down the Negeri Sembilan government despite political and economic stability amounted to “a degree of betrayal”.

Asked about recent claims of betrayal linked to discussions on electoral arrangements among coalition partners, Anwar, who’s also the Pakatan Harapan chairman, said such concerns would not arise if there was no betrayal.

“If there is no betrayal, that’s good,” he told reporters after attending the 10th Annual General Meeting of Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (Korpojaya).

“But if we look at our experience in Negeri Sembilan, there were certainly efforts to bring down the government despite political and economic stability. To me, that amounts to a degree of betrayal,” he added.

Anwar also urged political parties to focus on economic growth and issues affecting the public instead of becoming consumed by election speculation.

“As for Johor, it is up to them whether they want to hold an earlier election, but I say our focus should be on generating growth, the national economy and the people’s problems.

“These are the people’s concerns. If for the next three or four months we are preoccupied with elections, whereas we could spend the next two or three months focusing on the economy amid economic challenges, that is what I mean,” he said.

The prime minister said what mattered was strengthening understanding of why cooperation and consensus remained important.

“If there is no betrayal, then there is no issue. What it means is that we must improve our understanding of why cooperation and consensus are important, and when there is a need for an election at the proper time, then let it proceed,” he said.

His remarks came after Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday rejected allegations of betrayal levelled by Negeri Sembilan caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, saying the party’s support for Aminuddin’s administration was only intended to last until the dissolution of the state assembly.

Aminuddin accused Umno of betraying its allies, saying that a letter allegedly written by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to PAS leaders had revealed discussions between Perikatan Nasional and Umno on efforts to remove him as menteri besar.

Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced yesterday that polling for the Negeri Sembilan election will be held on August 1, with nominations set for July 18 and early voting on July 28.