KUALA LUMPUR (June 4): The Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly is to be dissolved on June 5, paving the way for a state election to be held amid talk of a move to oust the sitting ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the decision was made after receiving the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz, during an audience at 8.30pm on Thursday.

Aminuddin announced the decision at a late-night press conference on Thursday.

Negeri Sembilan is the second state to dissolve its legislative assembly this week, after Johor did so on June 1.

An invitation sighted by The Edge showed that a proclamation ceremony for Tunku Datuk Seri Nazaruddin Tuanku Jaafar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan was scheduled for 9.30am on June 5 at the Balai Rasmi Tengku Besar in Tampin.

In the 2023 Negeri Sembilan state election, Pakatan Harapan (PH) won 17 of the 36 state seats, while Barisan Nasional (BN) secured 14 seats and Perikatan Nasional (PN) won five.

In late April, BN's 14 assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin, citing a loss of confidence in his handling of an ongoing constitutional dispute involving four Undangs (traditional chieftains) who sought to remove the state's ruler, Tuanku Muhriz, and replace him with Tunku Nazaruddin Tuanku Jaafar.

Aminuddin said the state government did not recognise the move by the four Undangs, as one of them — Datuk Mubarak Thahak of Sungei Ujong — had already been removed from office on April 17, before the joint proclamation was made on April 19.

On May 5, however, the unity government leadership consultative council between Umno and PH agreed to continue working together in the Negeri Sembilan unity government to ensure political stability and safeguard the welfare of the people.

On May 13, Mubarak and the three other Undangs failed to obtain a temporary court stay on his removal pending an application for the minutes of an April 17 meeting. In that meeting the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan had decided to remove Mubarak as Undang of Sungei Ujong over 33 alleged breaches of adat and customary laws.

The other three Undangs involved are Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Datuk Muhammed Abdullah (Johol) and Datuk Abd Rahim Yasin (Rembau).

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