Mohamad: Focus on winning polls first before talks on MB post

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan today urged all parties in government to focus on winning the state elections before there are any talks of their menteri besar candidates.

Mohamad (above) also reportedly reminded that the final decision for a menteri besar candidate will be in the hands of the state sultan or in Negeri Sembilan, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

“First, make sure that we win. If we’re demanding (for the MB post) but we lost, there’s no use.

“Let us not fight for any posts now, but first, make sure that we can form the government,” said Mohamad, a former Negeri Sembilan MB, as quoted by Harian Metro.

The BN Negeri Sembilan chief reportedly said this when asked for comments on Pakatan Harapan Negeri Sembilan chief Anthony Loke’s statement that the DAP will support caretaker menteri besar Aminuddin Harun to be retained in his position.

“After we form the government, we will discuss among us, like from BN, who we think is the most qualified.

“After that, we can discuss between BN and Harapan if both coalitions are able to form the government,” said Mohamad.

Commenting further, Mohamad noted how Johor BN had during the state polls campaigned for Benut assemblyperson Hasni Mohammad to be retained as menteri besar, but Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had opted to appoint Machap assemblyperson Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

“The party can’t do anything about that because constitutionally, the appointment of a menteri besar is the sole prerogative of the sultan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said so far there are no other contenders from BN who are keen to contest his Rantau seat, despite efforts to promote new faces.

As such, Mohamad said he will most likely be defending his seat for the fifth term come nominations day on July 29.

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