Voters must punish Umno for betraying state govt, says Aminuddin

PETALING JAYA: Negeri Sembilan voters have been urged to use the state election on Aug 1 to punish Umno, with state Pakatan Harapan chief Aminuddin Harun saying the party’s betrayal of the state government had led to the dissolution of the state assembly.

He said a letter purportedly written by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin to PAS leaders had exposed prior discussions between Perikatan Nasional and Umno on efforts to unseat him as menteri besar.

Aminuddin called for the state assembly to be dissolved last week, after two weeks of political turmoil caused by Umno’s 14 state assembly members declaring a loss of confidence in Aminuddin, who headed a coalition state government formed by PH and Barisan Nasional.

The Umno members later agreed to remain with the government but the party declared it would contest all seats, prompting PH to do the same.

Aminuddin urged PH supporters today to come out in force on polling day, calling for an 80% voter turnout.

“Show them our dissatisfaction towards those who betrayed us. We don’t want just around 70% turnout on Aug 1. We want 80%,” he said at the launch of the Negeri Sembilan PH election machinery in Seremban.

“This is our opportunity. This is our time. Show them. Let it be you who teaches them a lesson. Make sure that the rakyat today can give out the punishment. It is the voters, you, all of you, who have the power to punish them,” said Aminuddin, who was assemblyman for Sikamat in the old state assembly.

PH must also consolidate itself ahead of the next general election. “When it is time for the general election, we will take them on then too,” said Aminuddin, who is also Port Dickson MP. He noted that PH holds eight parliamentary seats in the state.