The Tamesis
April 28, 2026
Petaling Jaya – They say it never rains, but it pours. The same seems to be true in Negeri Sembilan.
The state’s royalty crisis has barely eased, and a new political crisis has now shaken state government to its core.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun now leads a minority government after 14 Barisan Nasional MPs withdrew their support for him.
Ilham Center CEO Hishomuddin Bakar said he has not yet submitted his resignation, so the government can stay on for the time being.
“The situation now depends on the session of the state legislative assembly,” he said.
Aminuddin will be ousted if 14 Barisan Nasional MPs and five Perikatan Nasional MPs vote no confidence in him.
“The question now is to wait for clarification from the parliamentary session or for Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional to work together and nominate new ministers,” he added.
However, he said the development had direct implications for the minister’s legitimacy and the status of the state government, as the strength of any government depends on gaining clear majority support.
He said that the Barisan Nasional’s withdrawal of support for the Pakatan Harapan-led government not only undermined the minister’s political authority, but also made people think that this government is facing a crisis of legitimacy.
“From a governance perspective, this situation may erode bureaucracy, investor and public confidence. Political uncertainty affects the effectiveness of government,” he said.
“Minority governments are not common in Malaysian democratic practice,” Hishomuddin said.
“The loss of the majority therefore raises serious questions about the minister’s position.”
“By convention, new ministers need to be appointed from among those with majority support.
“The risk of government collapse is no longer a matter of political speculation,” he added.
On the impact of the crisis on BN-PH relations, Professor Datuk Awang Azman Awang Prawit, a socio-political analyst at the University of Malaya, said it could create the perception of a rift in the partnership and provide ammunition for the rhetoric of opponents.
“However, on the positive side, this may force both parties to refine the terms of cooperation, clarify the scope of powers and strengthen conflict management mechanisms before the elections.
“In mature coalition politics, crises can sometimes strengthen cooperation rather than weaken it,” he said.
At the federal level, the impact is more of a political signal than a direct threat.
It could affect seat negotiations and the level of trust between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional.
“Having said that, both sides have greater incentives to preserve existing cooperation frameworks rather than allow national-level crises to undermine national arrangements,” he added.
Awang Azman said that in the context of the royal family crisis, the best course of action is to return to peaceful mechanisms and negotiations that respect customs and the constitution.
“This crisis must not be allowed to create a power vacuum.
“The country needs to determine who has the legal authority to agree to the dissolution of Parliament, approve the appointment of a caretaker government or accept the oath of any new appointee.
“Without such clarity, any political step risks having its legitimacy challenged,” he said.
Lawyer Lin Weijie said that the status of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Muli is also being challenged, but he still has the power to make decisions, including ordering Aminuddin to continue to perform his duties.
“As of now, he remains the effective and legitimate ruler. So, yes, His Highness will have the discretion to select as the Menteri Besar a Member of Parliament who he believes has a majority in the State Assembly.”
