NS ruler crisis won’t derail BN’s Melaka polls preparation, says Tok Mat

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan asserted that the Negeri Sembilan political crisis would not impede Barisan Nasional's (BN) preparations for the upcoming Melaka state election next month. Known as Tok Mat, he emphasized that the crucial aspect lies in ensuring the effective implementation of strategies set by the party leadership by its election machinery, as unfulfilled plans would be futile, even if they appear robust on paper, according to Bernama.

Following his remarks at an event in Melaka, Tok Mat underlined the significance of converting party strategies into tangible action on the ground to ensure the identified supporters participate in the election. The crisis in Negeri Sembilan centers around the position of the state ruler since April, when four individuals claiming to be undangs (chieftains) claimed to have removed Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang Dipertuan Besar.

Later in June, the same undangs reportedly proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja afar as the "new" Yang Dipertuan Besar at a five-star hotel in Melaka. Recently, Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim endorsed a statement from his executive council affirming Tuanku Muhriz's removal as the Yang Dipertuan Besar. Tuanku Muhriz later rescinded the appointment of the entire state executive council, asserting his authority based on the state constitution.