Don’t interfere in Negeri Sembilan affairs, PM and AG told

Negeri Sembilan’s four undangs, including three whose appointments are disputed, and the Tunku Besar of Tampin have urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Attorney-General’s Chambers not to interfere in the state’s affairs, particularly matters concerning their constitutional prerogatives.

At a press conference held in Seremban today, they asserted that Articles 10 and 11 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959 conferred them with exclusive powers to appoint and remove the state’s ruler.

They also warned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim against taking any action through federal agencies that could disrupt the state administration.

“Do not overstep your bounds or intrude where you are not wanted. Do not sow disorder in our state using federal government agencies to paralyse the state government.

“Do not, merely for political gain or influence, or by yielding to pressure from certain quarters, act without reason and conscience, and in doing so violate the principle of constitutional supremacy.

“Do not act beyond your authority and interfere in matters that do not concern you,” they said.

According to them, any such unconstitutional action would constitute a breach of the prime minister’s oath of office under the Sixth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, as well as a breach of trust under Article 71(1) and (2) and a violation of the principle of federalism.

They also warned external parties, particularly opposition political parties, not to “fish in muddied waters” or “twist the facts” with disparaging comments about the state’s government and adat (customs).

“No political party has the power to remove any ruler,” they said. “That power is vested solely in its rightful authority, and in the context of Negeri Sembilan, it falls within the power of the Undang Yang Empat.”

They added that Negeri Sembilan’s customs have been practised for more than 500 years and, as custodians of the state’s traditions, they were best placed to understand them.

“Only the jeweller knows the gem,” they said.

The undangs also asserted that their power to choose and remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was a customary prerogative enshrined in Articles 7, 10 and 11 of the state constitution.

They also dismissed claims that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir’s purported removal was carried out by menteri besar Ismail Lasim and the state executive council, calling the allegation “malicious slander” engineered for the personal interests of certain groups.

The menteri besar and exco, they said, were merely carrying out their constitutional duty to comply with the undangs’ decision under Article 10.

The statement was issued by Undang of Johol Muhammed Abdullah, jointly with Mubarak Dohak, Maarof Mat Rashad and Abdul Rahim Yasin, whose respective positions as the Undangs of Sungei Ujong, Jelebu and Rembau are disputed.

On Wednesday, Anwar criticised Ismail and the former exco over several matters involving the royal institution which had sparked controversy in the state.

The exco had on Sept 16 issued a statement affirming that Tuanku Muhriz’s removal as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar in April was legitimate, and that Tunku Nadzaruddin was the new ruler of Negeri Sembilan.

Ismail endorsed the statement the following day. However, the state’s Dewan Keadilan dan Undang said the exco’s decision had no legal effect and that Tuanku Muhriz remained the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

On Sept 17, the AGC rejected a proclamation purporting to remove Tuanku Muhriz as the state ruler, along with a subsequent announcement by the exco affirming it.

The AGC said the proclamation was invalid, and that the menteri besar and then-exco members had no unilateral power to remove the state ruler.

On Sept 20, Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of the 10 exco members, citing breaches of their oaths of office.

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