Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan royal crisis escalates as chief minister defies ruler

Malaysia’s royal crisis in Negeri Sembilan spilled into a new constitutional fight on Monday after the state’s chief minister refused to accept the ruler’s dismissal of the entire executive council – a dispute that has already brought down one government and triggered a snap election.

The latest showdown comes less than a week after the executive council backed a disputed bid to remove the ruler, putting the palace and state government in conflict over both the throne and executive control.

Chief Minister Ismail Lasim said the councillors remained legally in office and would continue working as usual, directly contradicting an order issued late on Sunday by state ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

“I was never consulted and never at any time advised on the termination of any Negeri Sembilan executive councillor,” Ismail said in a statement on Monday. “There is therefore no need to submit a new list of executive councillors because the existing exco remains valid and will carry out its duties as usual.”