SEREMBAN (April 23): Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir said all decisions made by office bearers of high positions must not be driven by personal desires or emotions.

All actions and decisions, he said in his royal address at the opening of the state legislative assembly sitting, must instead be guided by established rules and laws.

“Failure to adhere to these principles may undermine administrative integrity as well as the well-being of the state,” he cautioned.

Tuanku Muhriz said the matter raised was of “great importance” to Negeri Sembilan and to him personally. While not naming any individuals, he noted that his message was directed particularly at those entrusted with high positions, which come with significant responsibilities and obligations.

The address comes amid an ongoing dispute over the state’s royal institution that has developed into a constitutional controversy.

The issue came to the fore on April 19, when the Undang Yang Empat — Datuk Mubarak Thahak (Sungai Ujong), Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Muhammad Abdullah (Johol) and Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau) — announced at a press conference that Tuanku Muhriz had been removed.

Under Article 7(2) of the state constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is elected by the Undangs, while Article 10(1) empowers them to determine whether the ruler is unfit to rule due to serious incapacity, misconduct, or breaches of the constitution or Islamic principles, and to require him to step aside or abdicate.

The Undangs also named Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the next Yang di-Pertuan Besar with immediate effect. His late father, Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, was Tuanku Muhriz’s predecessor.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the state government does not recognise the declaration, noting that Mubarak had already been removed from his position prior to the announcement.

The four Undangs, along with Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman, were absent from the opening of the session. It is the first time the Undang Yang Empat and the Tunku Besar Tampin have been absent from the opening of the assembly since Tuanku Muhriz ascended the throne.

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