Referencing the royal tussle, Jalaluddin on Monday said party representatives in the state executive council were not informed of prior discussions about the state government and were only aware after the issue escalated and drew national attention.
He also expressed regret over the incident and emphasised that BN respected customary institutions and the constitution and would not interfere in related matters.
“The chief minister should play his role and exercise sound judgment in addressing this crisis. The situation could affect the administration of the Negeri Sembilan government and, indirectly, have a significant impact on its stability,” he said.
Quoted in local media, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the 14 local lawmakers had acted “unilaterally”.
Zahid, however, said that he had been “informed” by UMNO they would be doing so.
He added that the BN and UMNO leaderships would look into the matter, including its political implications and the next steps to take.
Zahid, who is UMNO president also said he will meet with Anwar to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, at a separate press conference on Monday, PN said that it is “prepared” to work with all 14 BN state lawmakers.
State opposition leader Mohamed Hanifah Abu Baker, who is also Labu state assemblyman, represented all five PN state lawmakers at the press conference in saying so.
“The five Negeri Sembilan state assemblymen from Perikatan Nasional are “bersedia” (prepared) to work together … to ensure the stability of the state government and continuity of the state government’s administration to develop Negeri Sembilan and ensure the well-being of Negeri Sembilan,” Hanifah said.
“The five Perikatan Nasional state assemblymen always place the interests of the state and the people as the agenda of our struggle,” he added.
Hanifah also handed a letter of cooperation to Negeri Sembilan UMNO secretary Mustapha Nagoor, who is also the Palong state assemblyman, reported local media.
Mustapha then said he would hand over the letter to Jalaluddin.
Unlike the eight other Malaysian states with hereditary Malay rulers, Negeri Sembilan adheres to the Adat Perpatih system, which originated from the Minangkabau highlands of West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Under this unique matrilineal tradition, the ruler – known as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar – is elected by a council of four territorial chiefs (Undangs), rather than inheriting the throne through direct hereditary succession.
Under Negeri Sembilan’s constitution, the Undangs hold the unique dual power to both elect and depose the Ruler.
At the federal level, PH and BN are part of the unity government, while PN is in the opposition.