KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 8): Negeri Sembilan’s new Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has signed a proclamation to remove the state ruler, allegedly under duress, Singapore's Straits Times reported on Tuesday.
Ismail was allegedly forced to sign the proclamation, with Umno’s top leadership working in concert with the previous customary chieftains known as Undangs, the Straits Times reported, citing unidentified legal and government sources.
The report comes on the heels of a Sept 5 announcement by the four traditional chieftains that Ismail had signed the proclamation that would oust Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, even as the legitimacy of three of the four Undangs are in dispute.
The move, however, contradicts what Ismail himself stated on Sept 6 — that he and the state government expressed full support and loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar. The statement by Ismail, however, did not address whether he signed the proclamation.
The Undang Yang Empat have been trying to remove Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar. Negeri Sembilan’s previous menteri besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, however, sided with Tuanku Muhriz and declined to recognise their proclamation in April amid questions over the validity of one of the Undangs’ status.
Umno withdrew their support for Aminuddin, ostensibly over his interference in the royal institution. Aminuddin later dissolved the state assembly in June, paving the way for a snap election that resulted in his defeat.
The Straits Times report also said that the revived effort to oust Tuanku Muhriz comes just as the Malay Rulers Conference is due to meet in October.
An earlier meeting was not held because of a dispute over who is the legitimate ruler of Negeri Sembilan.