Aminuddin wants action against exco members over royal statement

Former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun has urged the authorities to take action against the state executive council members involved in issuing a statement affirming Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir’s removal as the Yang Dipertuan Besar.

Aminuddin said the actions of the exco members in issuing the Sept 16 statement amounted to an act of treason against Tuanku Muhriz.

“I urge the authorities to take appropriate legal action against every exco member involved,” he said in a statement.

Aminuddin also said that under the constitution, exco members have no power to make decisions concerning the Yang Dipertuan Besar’s position.

The state executive council yesterday said that Tuanku Muhriz’s removal in April was legitimate and that Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar was therefore the new ruler of Negeri Sembilan.

It said the council, chaired by menteri besar Ismail Lasim, convened on Tuesday and collectively decided that the April 19 proclamation for the removal of Tuanku Muhriz had been signed and sealed by the duly constituted and incumbent undangs.

The council said that the proclamation was also signed by Ismail on Aug 3, rendering it complete in accordance with Article 10(2) of the Negeri Sembilan constitution. Ismail has disputed the validity of the document.

Aminuddin pointed out Ismail’s statement on Sept 9 that the state government had taken the position that the instrument he signed did not comply with the processes and procedures provided for under Article 10 of the Negeri Sembilan constitution.

“However, seven days later, the exco members decided that the proclamation was duly completed and had taken effect. This change in position is difficult to understand,” Aminuddin said.

Aminuddin, who was still menteri besar on April 19, said a proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz was presented to him while he was in office. However, he reiterated that he refused to sign the document and explained his reasons publicly on April 20.

“I do not recognise the Sept 16 exco announcement. I affirm that Tuanku Muhriz is the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan,” he said.

DAP’s Bahau assemblyman Teo Kok Seong said yesterday that the statement purportedly issued by members of the Negeri Sembilan executive council should not be considered to represent the state government, only the council members involved.

Rembau Undang Hassan Ab Hamid had said that the exco members could not supersede the Negeri Sembilan constitution, as the Dewan Keadilan and Undang had declared the proclamation invalid, while lawyer Rosli Dahlan also questioned the validity of the statement.

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