Loke, the transport minister and Chennah assemblyman, said the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman’s statement had helped stabilise tensions after the move by 14 BN assemblymen to withdraw support for Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.

He said Aminuddin’s state government would operate as usual, as no new developments had arisen.

“Umno’s political bureau also said yesterday that the party would continue to support the unity government despite the 14 assemblymen’s loss of confidence in the menteri besar.

“This means the unity government in Negeri Sembilan will continue for the sake of the state’s stability and administrative continuity,” Berita Harian reported him as saying today.

Loke also said that the state government would not interfere in the dispute between the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the state’s chieftains.

“That is out of our control and must be resolved within the relevant institutions. We cannot interfere. We will ensure that the government runs as usual and that the menteri besar, executive councillors, and assemblymen continue to do their work,” he said.

Earlier, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party would continue to back the unity government in Negeri Sembilan to ensure political stability despite its state chapter’s withdrawal of support for Aminuddin.

He said the party’s Negeri Sembilan chief, Jalaluddin Alias, had explained the rationale for the withdrawal, and that Umno respected the decision.

All 14 BN-Umno assemblymen retracted support for Aminuddin on Monday, citing a loss of confidence in the menteri besar from PKR.