Prolonging an unaccepted advice into an unwarranted crisis — Hafiz Hassan

SEPTEMBER 29 — When Negeri Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said that “the sovereign power of the Ruler in matters of state administration shall be exercised on the advice of the YAB Menteri Besar and the State Executive Council”, citing Article 40(1), he may have overlooked that under Article 28(1), the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Rulings Chiefs are collectively the Ruler.

Article 40(1) states the general principle that the Ruler is to act on advice. In Negeri Sembilan, the Ruler means Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Rulings Chiefs.

Then there is Article 40(1A) which says that the Ruler is “to act in accordance with the advice or on the advice of any person or body of persons”.

Clause (1A) was inserted into Article 40 vide The Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan (Amendment) Enactment 1993 (En 6 of 1993). The preamble duly says that it was enacted by His Highness (Yang di-Pertuan Besar) and the Ruling Chiefs.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim answers questions during a press conference at the Negeri Sembilan First Class Graduate Excellence Awards presentation ceremony in Seremban on September 17, 2026. — Bernama pic

The Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs act collectively as the Ruler.

When the Ruler is to act on advice, it is the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs who must act on advice.

Accordingly, when the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) gives advice on questions relating to Malay Custom in any part of the State including questions relating to the election or succession to or removal from or vacation of office of any of the Ruling Chiefs or on other matters which may be referred to it by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar or any of the Ruling Chiefs (Article 16), it is the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs who must act in accordance with the advice or on the advice of the DKU.

It may humbly be said that the so-called constitutional crisis in the State is the consequence of prolonging an unaccepted advice into an unwarranted crisis.

* This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.