Police probing Negri Sembilan royal dispute from all angles, says Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are probing the Negri Sembilan royal dispute from all angles after a number of reports were lodged, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said while operational details would not be disclosed, police were focused on preventing violence and protecting the public.

"The police have taken preventive security measures to ensure no gatherings could lead to confrontations.

"They are looking at every angle," he said when asked whether investigations linked to the issue would involve the Sedition Act or Penal Code.

Saifuddin said he would leave it to police to complete their investigations and decide whether to refer the investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

On Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's reported position on calls to remove the Negri Sembilan Ruler, Saifuddin said the Prime Minister's position was that any attempt to remove a ruler was a serious matter under Malaysia's constitutional monarchy system.

The dispute has led to calls and counter-calls over the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

The New Straits Times has contacted federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar to ascertain the specific provisions under which the reports are being investigated.