JELEBU: Negri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun may not return as menteri besar if the PH-Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance retains control of the state after the Aug 12 state polls.
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said 18 BN and PH election candidates who are male, Malay and Muslim are qualified to be nominated for the menteri besar's post if the state election concluded in favour of parties in the unity government.
"Of the 36 BN and PH candidates contesting the polls, 31 are male.
"Of those 31 male candidates, 18 are Malay and they are qualified to be chosen as menteri besar," he said after a walkabout with DAP secretary-general and Transport Minister Anthony Loke in Kampung Chennah here today.
Loke laughed when Jalaluddin made his remarks.
Jalaluddin was asked to comment on speculation that BN's candidate for the Lenggeng state seat, Mohd Asna Amir, was being considered for the menteri besar's post.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Loke were reported as saying PKR and DAP wanted Aminuddin to return as Negri Sembilan menteri besar.
"PH and BN will work hard to ensure we win all the state seats we are contesting.
"After that, top leaders from both coalitions will decide who will become the menteri besar, the head of the state administration," Jalaluddin said.
Jalaluddin and Loke, who are Jelebu and Seremban members of parliament, respectively, are among the 36 BN and PH candidates contesting the state election.
Jalaluddin is contesting Pertang and Loke is defending Chennah, which he has held since the 13th General Election.
Pertang and Chennah are two of the four state seats under the Jelebu parliamentary constituency.