SEREMBAN (Sept 17): The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) Negeri Sembilan insists Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar and chairman of the customary council.

DKU secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin said there was no vacancy in the position and no successor as long as it was lawfully occupied.

He said under Article XVI of the state constitution, Malay customs, including the selection, appointment, abdication and removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and undang, was under the DKU’s jurisdiction.

Article XVI(3), he said, further provided that the council’s advice on such matters was final and could not be challenged or questioned in any court on any grounds.

He said the state executive council has no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

Referring to the “Decision of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council No 6 of 2026” dated Sept 16, Raja Norazli said any decision to confirm Tuanku Muhriz’s removal or to recognise a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar was beyond the exco’s jurisdiction and contrary to the DKU’s decision.

“As such, it is unconstitutional, invalid and has no legal effect,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

The DKU also reiterated its position that the April 19 proclamation was defective, saying no inquiry under Article X(1) of the state constitution had been conducted.

Raja Norazli said three of the four individuals who signed the proclamation did not hold the office of undang on the date in question, while the functions under Article X(2) had been carried out until the proclamation lapsed and became void.

He said the exco could not cure the alleged defects, while any subsequent proclamation to select a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar based on the same grounds would likewise be invalid and have no legal effect.

Meanwhile, the DKU said it was aware that the matter was currently before the High Court in Seremban and that court orders remained in force.

“The council urges all parties to respect the court process and refrain from taking any action that could circumvent or interfere with it,” he said.

Raja Norazli said the Negeri Sembilan customary institutions, including the institutions of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the undang, belonged to neither political parties nor individuals, but were a trust for all anak buah and waris.

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