Aminuddin calls exco move against Tuanku Muhriz an act of defiance

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has questioned the state executive council's announcement on the status of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, saying the proclamation cited by the exco had previously been presented to him for his signature while he was menteri besar.

He said the proclamation, purportedly dated April 19, was presented to him on April 20 for his signature under Article 10(2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS).

Aminuddin remained in office until Aug 2.

"I refused to sign the document for reasons I had publicly stated at the time.

"I stressed that the state government could not accept or recognise the actions of Mubarak Dohak, who was involved in the proclamation and purportedly completed it on Apr 19, as he was no longer the Undang of Luak Sungai Ujong," he said in a statement today.

Aminuddin also claimed that no complete inquiry as required under Article 10(1) of the UUTKNS had been conducted in his presence.

He said a claim by the Undang of Luak Johol in a supporting affidavit dated July 17 that the inquiry had been conducted at a meeting on March 5 at Balai Undang Sungai Ujong was untrue.

"No allegations were ever made against Tuanku Muhriz, nor was His Royal Highness allowed to respond to any allegations.

"This constitutes a serious breach of the principles of natural justice," he said.

Aminuddin also questioned the state government's change in position over the status of the proclamation.

He said the state government had publicly stated on Sept 9 that the proclamation did not comply with the process and procedures prescribed under Article 10 of the UUTKNS 1959, describing it as invalid, unconstitutional and incapable of being implemented.

"However, seven days later, the same state exco decided that the proclamation was complete and in force.

"This change in position is difficult to understand.

"Under the UUTKNS, exco members have no power to make any decision concerning the position of Tuanku Muhriz," he said.

Aminuddin also said the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang, which sat on Sept 13 and issued its decision on Sept 14, had reaffirmed that the proclamation was invalid and void from the outset.

He said the decision also affirmed that Tuanku Muhriz remained the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan and that the decision had been conveyed to the menteri besar, state secretary and state legal adviser.

The state exco on Wednesday announced that the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz was valid and recognised Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar with immediate effect.

Aminuddin also questioned the exco's statement that the proclamation was only completed under Article 10(2) after the menteri besar signed the document on Aug 3.

"However, the same announcement also states that a successor had already been selected on Apr 19 under Article 11.

"A successor cannot be selected while the position is still occupied," he said.

Aminuddin said he did not recognise the announcement and maintained that Tuanku Muhriz was the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

He described the announcement as an act of defiance against Tuanku Muhriz and urged the authorities to take appropriate legal action against each exco member involved.