KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has advised all BN assemblymen in Negri Sembilan to stay out of the affairs of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) and the state's royal institutions.
"Our stand is that we must separate the problem of the Undang and the royal institutions from the matter of government administration.
"That is why my advice to our assemblymen is not to interfere any more in the DKU's affairs and the royal institutions," he said after officiating the Road Safety Congress 2026 here.
He was responding to a question on Umno's stand following Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir's apparent displeasure with Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ismail Lasim on Friday.
The rebuke followed Ismail's confirmation that the state executive council (exco) had unanimously decided on Sept 15 to proceed with the proclamation by four disputed Undangs to remove him as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Zahid said priority must be given to the people and their problems, regardless of any issues that might arise.
"We (the state government) concentrate on providing services, because the people's representatives were elected by the people and the mandate has been given," he said.
He said the state government continued to function despite the absence of its exco and was preparing a draft for the tabling of the 2027 budget.
Zahid also called for continued cooperation with opposition lawmakers to ensure grassroots needs were addressed.
"We want the (electoral) mandate given to be carried out, because they certainly hope that the Negri Sembilan government in place does not become a government left hanging.
"They also want the government agencies and machinery to run as usual or better. What matters is that the manifesto is translated into implementation and the existing problems are faced as well as possible," he added.
The revocation of the appointments of 10 Negri Sembilan state executive councillors, effective Sept 20, was gazetted on Sept 24 by order of Tuanku Muhriz, citing a breach of their pledge of allegiance.
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