Negeri Sembilan MB rejects Anwar’s ‘rude, uncivilised’ claim, says exco acted within role

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim today rejected Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s description of his and the state executive council’s actions as ‘rude’ and ‘uncivilised’. — Bernama pic

By Muhammad Yusry

First Published: Thursday, 24 Sep 2026 3:04 PM MYT

Last Modified: Thursday, 24 Sep 2026 3:05 PM MYT

SEREMBAN, Sept 24 — Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim today rejected Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s description of his and the state executive council’s actions as “rude” and “uncivilised”, saying they had not made any decision to remove or appoint the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

Ismail said he respected Anwar’s concern for the Royal Institution but believed the Prime Minister’s criticism was based on an incomplete understanding of the actual role played by the Menteri Besar and the exco.

“I take note of the statement made by the honourable Prime Minister yesterday, who described my actions and those of the state executive council as rude and uncivilised.

“I respect the Prime Minister’s concern for the Royal Institution. However, I am concerned that the reprimand was based on an incomplete picture of the actual role of the Menteri Besar and the exco members,” he told a press conference at Klana Resort here.

Ismail, who is also the Juasseh assemblyman, said the state executive council had instead discussed the state administration’s position on a proclamation presented as the decision of the four Undangs.

“In this matter, the Menteri Besar and the exco did not make any decision to remove or appoint the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

“The state executive council discussed the state administration’s position on the proclamation presented as the decision of the four Undangs,” he said.

He said the exco’s agreement to subsequent administrative action did not mean that it had assumed the powers of the Undangs or made the decision on the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

“The state executive council’s agreement to the subsequent administrative action does not mean that the council took over the powers of the Undangs or became the party making the decision regarding the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar,” he said.

Ismail said he and the exco would not interfere in customary considerations or the selection process, which he said fell within the jurisdiction prescribed under the Constitution of the State of Negeri Sembilan 1959.

He said any questions regarding the validity of the proclamation, compliance with procedures and its constitutional effects should be determined according to the state constitution and relevant legal processes.

“We respect any court order that is in force,” he said.

Yesterday, Anwar criticised Ismail and the state executive council for attempting to remove Yang di Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, calling the move rude and uncivilised.

He said no state level authority has the mandate to question or alter the position of the Ruler.

Anwar stressed that the federal government is not interfering in the matter and said the issue of dethroning a Ruler is not straightforward.

He then said conflicting claims among the Undangs must be resolved before any decision can be considered valid.

Anwar added that any decision made by the properly appointed Undangs following the correct process would fall outside the jurisdiction of the federal government.