G25 urges Negeri Sembilan MB to resign

The G25 group of prominent retired civil servants has urged Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Ismail Lasim to resign from the post over his handling of attempts to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar.

G25 said the seven-term Umno assemblyman’s position as menteri besar was untenable having signed a proclamation seeking Tuanku Muhriz’s removal, followed by conflicting explanations on the document.

It pointed out that Ismail took his oath of office and pledge of allegiance as menteri besar before Tuanku Muhriz on Aug 2, but signed the proclamation the next day.

“He has lost his credibility in light of his attempt to remove Tuanku Muhriz as the rightful ruler of the state, and his indecisiveness and failure to explain who coerced him into signing the purported proclamation, which he himself said was invalid and of no effect.

“And, equally pertinent, he subsequently, on Sept 16, took a contradictory turn on the ‘validity’ of the purported proclamation. In light of all this unacceptable behaviour, he has lost his moral authority to lead and to govern,” it said in a statement.

G25 added that calling for the removal of a ruler amounts to treason, a serious crime punishable under Section 121B of the Penal Code by up to 40 years in prison, as well as sedition.

It urged the authorities to act firmly against those committing treason or sedition in the Negeri Sembilan royal dispute.

“The sanctity of the federal and state constitutions and the rule of law must be vigilantly upheld. Otherwise, there will be a gradual collapse of law and order, which we are now beginning to feel and witness.”

FMT has reached out to the menteri besar’s office for comment.

Ismail, the Juasseh assemblyman, previously said he signed the proclamation on Tuanku Muhriz’s purported removal under duress and lodged a police report.

He also said the document was invalid because it did not comply with the Negeri Sembilan constitution.

However, a week later, the Umno man endorsed a statement by his 10 executive council members purportedly affirming Tuanku Muhriz’s removal as ruler.

In response, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and exco had no power to remove the Yang Dipertuan Besar or declare his position vacant.

Tuanku Muhriz later revoked the appointments of the 10 exco members.

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