NEGERI Sembilan caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has rejected suggestions that he is abandoning the Sikamat state constituency, insisting his decision to contest the Linggi seat in the upcoming state election was made voluntarily and with careful consideration.
The Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said he was handing over the Sikamat constituency, which he has represented for four consecutive terms, to his political secretary, Nor Azman Mohamad.
"I am not running away from Sikamat.
"I am passing the baton in Sikamat to Ustaz Norazman. I have reminded him to take good care of Sikamat. I love Sikamat.
"Thank you, Sikamat.
"I am going to Linggi by my own choice. I want to serve the people of Linggi. If God grants us victory, I will work even harder for the residents of the Linggi state constituency," he said in a Facebook post.
Aminuddin was named as PH's candidate for Linggi during the coalition's candidate announcement on Tuesday, while Nor Azman was selected to defend the Sikamat seat.
The PKR vice-president had previously acknowledged that Linggi is not a safe seat, having long been regarded as a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold.
However, he said his decision to switch constituencies was based on careful assessment and several strategic considerations aimed at enabling PH to wrest the seat from BN.
Reflecting on his political journey, Aminuddin said Sikamat holds special significance, having been the constituency where he began his career after winning the seat in 2008.
"Four terms in Sikamat. From being an opposition assemblyman to becoming Menteri Besar, I remained in Sikamat.
"In 2008, Sikamat gave me the opportunity to win. My political career began there. The people of Sikamat know the hardships and struggles we went through together.
"Our office started above a shop in very modest circumstances, and today it has grown into something much better.
"In those days, when opposition allocations were limited, we did everything we could to raise funds to help the people. Those who stood by me through the difficult times know how we worked together to organise programmes and secure assistance for residents," he said.
Aminuddin added that his years in Sikamat had allowed him to build close relationships with residents that had grown beyond the traditional bond between an elected representative and constituents.
"Every time I return to hold programmes with the people of Sikamat, it feels like I am coming back to my own hometown.
"My entire family has become close to the people of Sikamat. My wife and children are comfortable with them. That is the bond between Sikamat and me," he said. - July 16, 2026
