KUALA LUMPUR (June 5): The Seremban High Court has granted a temporary injunction order to preserve the status quo amid customary and constitutional crises in Negeri Sembilan.

The ad interim injunction restrains the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan from convening meetings, making decisions, or taking measures until an ongoing court proceeding is heard in full, and blocks attempts to remove the council’s secretary, Raja Norazli Raja Nordin.

Judge Roz Mawar Rozain issued the order on Friday following applications by Raja Norazli.

The injunction is intended to preserve the status quo pending the court’s determination of jurisdictional and justiciability issues arising from the dispute.

The order also prevents interference with Raja Norazli’s duties as secretary and the appointment of any committee or body to assume his functions, or making decisions relating to the administration, governance and affairs of the Dewan.

The injunction targets Datuk Mubarak Thahak and three Undangs — Maarof Mat Rashad, Muhammed Abdullah and Abdul Rahim Yasin, as well as Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri, the hereditary ruler of Tampin.

The ruling follows an earlier move by several ruling chieftains to suspend Raja Norazli, a decision he rejected as having no legal effect, maintaining that only the Yang di-Pertuan Besar possesses the authority to remove him from office.

The injunctions remain in force until the court determines the preliminary issues before it, or until further order.

The development is the latest in the political crisis engulfing Land of the Minangkabau sparked by a move by territorial chieftains to oust the state’s ruler on April 19. The attempt failed as Aminuddin sided with Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Aminuddin announced that the state government does not recognise proclamation by the Undang Yang Empat as one of them, Mubarak, had already been removed from his position prior to the announcement.