Tuanku Muhriz opens Negeri Sembilan state assembly amid dispute

Monday 21 Sep 2026

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SEREMBAN (April 23): The high-stakes Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly sitting opened on Thursday as scheduled, despite a boycott by the four Undangs.

Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum Tuanku Munawir arrived at Wisma Negeri at 9.30am, accompanied by his consort Tuanku Aishah Rohani. The ruler was received by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and State Speaker Datuk MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman before proceeding to inspect the guard of honour.

However, the four territorial chiefs also known as Undang Yang Empat — Datuk Mubarak Thahak (Sungai Ujong), Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Muhammad Abdullah (Johol) and Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau) — along with Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman, were absent from the opening ceremony.

They had earlier said they would not attend the opening and called for the sitting to be postponed.

Their absence from the opening of the assembly would be the first since Tuanku Muhriz ascended the throne.

The presentation of the Memorandum of Support and Loyalty by the heirs (Anak Waris), Ibu Soko, Buapak, and the Adat Council (Lembaga Adat) of Luak Nan 4 to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, took place in front of Istana Hinggap in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan on Thursday. The memorandum was handed over by the Head of the Secretariat for Support and Loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and the Menteri Besar, Prof Dr Mohd Aluwi Sari (front row, third from left), to Tunku Kecil Muda, Tunku Datuk Mahmood Fawzy Tunku Muhiyiddin (front row, fourth from right) at Istana Hinggap.

All 36 state assemblymen were present at the opening, except Rantau assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who was on official duty as the foreign minister, according to the state’s speaker.

Outside the building, a group of fewer than 50 people identifying themselves as the Secretariat Pertahankan DYMM Tuanku YDPB & YAB Menteri Besar gathered and submitted a memorandum of support for the ruler and the menteri besar.

Security around the building was tight from early morning, with police deployed on site to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents.

Undangs’ absence does not affect sitting validity

Tuanku Muhriz said the opening of the sitting remains valid despite the absence of the Undangs and other traditional chieftains who would usually accompany him at the official opening of the state assembly.

The state administration should continue to function as usual to ensure orderly governance and safeguard the interests of the people, he said.

The ruler also called on the public to exercise responsibility when commenting on public issues, stressing the need for proper understanding and verification before sharing information.

“Do not be quick to believe or disseminate information without proper investigation and verification,” he said, warning that the spread of unverified claims could have adverse effects on society and the state.

Edited ByJason Ng

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