KUALA LUMPUR - DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has called on voters to judge an alleged plot to unseat Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, saying the public will ultimately decide the matter at the ballot box in the upcoming state election.
Loke, who also serves as Transport Minister, declined to comment directly on the reported conspiracy, instead placing the onus on voters to assess the claims now that the Negeri Sembilan state assembly has been dissolved.
"They have the eyes to see. Let the people judge. So I will not comment on what has happened," Loke told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
"The people will be the judge of whatever that Bersatu revealed in relation to plans by PAS with other parties," he added.
The remarks follow the emergence of a 13-page letter purportedly from Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin addressed to PAS leaders, which detailed prior discussions between Perikatan Nasional and Umno on efforts to remove Aminuddin from his post.
The letter, dated May 25, revealed that several rounds of discussions took place among PAS, Bersatu, and Umno before 14 Umno-Barisan Nasional assemblymen withdrew their support for Aminuddin's administration.
According to the letter, one key meeting was held at Bersatu headquarters on April 24, involving PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and three PAS assemblymen, alongside Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and two Bersatu assemblymen, for the signing of statutory declarations.
Negeri Sembilan Umno subsequently held a press conference on April 27 to announce its assemblymen's withdrawal of support, citing a loss of confidence in Aminuddin over his handling of a crisis involving four chieftains' attempt to remove the state's Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Despite the withdrawal, the Umno bloc later indicated it would remain in the state government while maintaining its position against Aminuddin.
When asked if he was disappointed by the reported plot, Loke said political actors must maintain perspective.
"We cannot be disappointed. We need to have hope," he said.
On PAS's decision to sever ties with Bersatu and whether it benefited Pakatan Harapan, Loke was brief: "That is their problem."
The Negeri Sembilan state assembly was dissolved last week following months of political instability triggered by the withdrawal of support from Umno assemblymen. The Election Commission has yet to announce nomination and polling dates for the state election.
The emergence of the alleged plot adds a dramatic dimension to the campaign, with Pakatan Harapan likely to frame the episode as evidence of backroom maneuvering to topple an elected government.
Barisan Nasional, meanwhile, has announced it will contest the Negeri Sembilan election independently after Pakatan Harapan declared its intention to field candidates in all 36 state constituencies.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today
