He said the position was reached after he held discussions with the assemblymen today following their move to withdraw support for Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.

Zahid stressed that the 14 assemblymen did not intend to take over the state administration or form a new government through undemocratic means.

“I held discussions with all 14 assemblymen as there were differing perceptions and interpretations of their original intent.

“We have no intention of retracting anything.

“Rather, we want to clarify that this was a well-meaning move to ensure that Negeri Sembilan’s royal institution and customs are respected and upheld by all,” he said after officiating a forum here.

The 14 assemblymen retracted support for Aminuddin on Monday after citing a loss of confidence in the PKR vice-president’s leadership due to his handling of a crisis involving the state’s royal institution and customary practices (adat).

The decision is linked to the ongoing crisis involving four chieftains seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

Negeri Sembilan Perikatan Nasional subsequently said its five assemblymen were prepared to work with the Barisan Nasional assemblymen to ensure stability and continuity in the state government.

The five PN assemblymen would enable BN to form a state government with a simple majority of 19 seats.

Last night, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party would continue to back the unity government in Negeri Sembilan to ensure political stability and the people’s well-being.

Aminuddin, the Sikamat assemblyman, was sworn in as Negeri Sembilan menteri besar for a second term in August 2023.

In the last state election, BN won 14 seats, Pakatan Harapan won 17 and PN secured five.