NEGERI Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has dismissed speculation that he could be replaced, insisting that he remains in office.
“I don’t know about that. For now, I am still the menteri besar,” he told reporters after officiating the Little India Seremban Deepavali Bazaar Carnival yesterday.
His remarks came amid claims that Jelebu MP and Pertang assemblyman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias could be lined up to take over the state’s top executive post.
Ismail did not elaborate on the speculation, saying he was unaware of any developments concerning a possible change in leadership.
The rumours come as Negeri Sembilan continues to grapple with a dispute involving its traditional institutions and state administration.
Ismail had previously dismissed talk of his resignation, maintaining that he retained the support of all 24 Barisan Nasional assemblymen.
He had also proposed November 26 for the next state assembly sitting, with the Negeri Sembilan Budget scheduled to be tabled the following day.
However, he was still seeking the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan for the proposed dates.
Ismail also declined to comment on opposition claims that the sitting could not proceed unless an official notice was issued at least 28 days beforehand.
Meanwhile, Jalaluddin, who is the Negeri Sembilan UMNO Liaison Committee Chairman, denied allegations of divisions or specific factions within UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state, following recent political polemics.
He stated that claims regarding the existence of a "Jalaluddin faction" and an "Ismail Lasim faction" are merely attempts by certain parties to sow discord among the state’s party leadership.
According to him, this matter was discussed during a meeting today with BN division heads and state assembly members (ADUNs), where all parties reached a consensus that no such divisions exist within the organisation.
“To the best of my knowledge—and that of my fellow division heads and state assembly members—the solidarity and cohesion of UMNO in Negeri Sembilan, as well as within BN, remain very strong.
“There are no factions. We are focused solely on our duties and responsibilities to carry out the mandate entrusted to BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) on August 1st,” he said. - November 7, 2026
