KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 9): Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim’s claim that he signed an "instrument of proclamation" under duress and against his will needs to be verified by the lawyer who was present during the signing process, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said this would be the best way to verify the menteri besar’s claim.

Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said the party would not interfere and would fully respect the royal institution as well as the undang institution and customs in Negeri Sembilan.

“I think it would be good if the statement is verified by the lawyer himself, if the lawyer was there when the proclamation was signed. And we hear that a press conference may be held in the near future,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the 2026 Umno general assembly here on Wednesday.

Zahid said this when commenting on Ismail’s claim that he was forced to sign the instrument of proclamation against his will, before lodging a police report on Tuesday.

Zahid also denied claims that he was present during the signing of the document.

“No, I wasn’t there. He (Ismail) has already denied it,” he said.

Zahid also dismissed claims that he had received Ismail's resignation letter.

Earlier, Ismail explained that the instrument of proclamation, which went viral through a media statement on Tuesday night, had been signed against his will and under duress.

Ismail said he lodged a police report at about 6pm on Tuesday to enable the authorities to investigate the matter.

Read also:
Negeri Sembilan MB says proclamation to remove ruler signed under duress
Negeri Sembilan MB refutes claims Zahid involved in attempts to remove Tuanku Muhriz as state ruler
Negeri Sembilan palace tussle stirring again — report 

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