KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): The Negeri Sembilan government denies that it or Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim is trying to depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, claiming it inherited a problem caused by the previous state government's mishandling of the matter.
In a statement on Thursday, Ismail said that under the state constitution and Adat Perpatih (customary law), the executive branch of government has no power to appoint or remove the ruler.
That authority rests with the Undang Yang Empat (the four customary chieftains).
The chieftains and Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir are in a tussle over the throne after the four proclaimed in April that Tuanku Muhriz is no longer the ruler.
The menteri besar at the time, Pakatan Harapan's Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, refused to recognise proclamation citing that one of the undang had been sacked before the proclamation was made.
Ismail said the dispute arose after the previous menteri besar failed to fulfil his responsibilities under the state constitution, including refusing to complete constitutional processes.
"The state government wishes to emphasise that allegations claiming the government or the menteri besar has 'dethroned' the Yang di-Pertuan Besar are inaccurate," Ismail said.
The statement followed a press conference earlier on Thursday at Klana Resort, Seremban, where Ismail claimed that 10 executive council (exco) members had been barred from entering their offices due to an administrative order that took effect on Wednesday.
The claim comes after Tuanku Muhriz sacked the exco on Monday except Ismail, saying they had breached their oath of office.
The exco had previously endorsed the proclamation to dethrone Tuanku Muhriz by the Undang Yang Empat.
It should be noted, that the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan, the council that regulates the state's customs, insisted that Tuanku Muhriz remained the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar and chairman of the customary council, and that the exco has no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the ruler.
It also reiterated its position that the April 19 proclamation was defective, saying three of the four people who signed it did not hold the office of Undang at the material time.
Ismail called on the authorities to review the order's basis, maintaining that the exco members remain valid officeholders.
He said that blocking exco members from their offices or council meetings harms the public interest.
“Not allowing the excos to enter their offices or hold exco discussions is a denial of the people’s rights because their decisions concern the public interest,” he said.
Addressing comments by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding the dispute, Ismail suggested the remarks stemmed from an incomplete picture of the situation.
Ismail stressed that the conflict should not be simplified into a political clash between the executive and the palace. He urged federal agencies and the Attorney General's Chambers to refrain from interfering in state constitutional and customary matters.
"Respecting the monarchy and customs does not mean denying the function of the state government. Likewise, respecting the democratic mandate of the state government has never meant diminishing the honour or position of the monarchy," he said.
He added that governance issues — including the positions of the state secretary and state legal adviser — must be resolved through proper legal channels while preserving civil service neutrality.
Ismail urged stakeholders to allow customary institutions and the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan to resolve the dispute in accordance with Adat Perpatih.
Read also:
Zafrul urges Negeri Sembilan MB to come clean on who allegedly forced him to sign proclamation on state ruler
Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz revokes appointment of state excos
Negeri Sembilan MB confirms state govt recognises removal of Tuanku Muhriz
Negeri Sembilan exco suspends state secretary and state legal adviser