KUALA LUMPUR – Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has claimed he was forced to sign a Proclamation Instrument seeking the removal of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Ismail said he had lodged a police report at 6pm on Tuesday to allow investigations into the matter.
In a statement on Wednesday, he said the document, which had gone viral following a media statement issued on September 8, was signed without his consent and under duress.
“Referring to the issue of the Proclamation Instrument document that went viral in the media statement on the night of September 8, 2026, I would like to clarify that the Instrument was signed by me without my consent and under duress.
“The state government is of the view that the Instrument does not fulfil the processes and procedures stipulated under Article 10 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959.
“Therefore, it is invalid, unconstitutional and cannot be enforced,” he said.
Ismail added that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday had, among other matters, discussed the establishment of a Reconciliation Committee to seek a peaceful and respectful resolution to the customary issue through consensus.
He said the state government had also referred to Article 71 of the Federal Constitution, which provides for the Federation’s guarantee of the rights and position of the Malay Rulers under the Constitution.
According to him, appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the dignity and position of Tuanku Muhriz as the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan remained protected.
“I once again express my full support and unwavering loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz as the only legitimate and sovereign Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan,” he said.
Yesterday, Ismail also denied allegations that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was involved in any effort to remove Tuanku Muhriz from the throne.
He described the claim as untrue, while reaffirming his support for Ahmad Zahid and the party’s leadership.
“I have always supported the Umno president and the entire party leadership, which has always upheld, defended and protected the sanctity of the Malay Rulers institution as well as the principles of constitutional monarchy,”
On Sunday, four Undangs, Tunku Besar Tampin and Dato Shahbandar Sungai Ujong claimed that Ismail had signed a proclamation on August 3 to remove Tuanku Muhriz from the throne.
In a joint statement, they alleged that Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar, together with the traditional leaders, had granted an audience to Ismail at Istana Laguna Biru, Port Dickson, on the same date.
However, Undang Luak Sungei Ujong Datuk Klana Petra Muhammad Faris Johari Meor Ngah maintained that the alleged proclamation signed by Ismail to remove Tuanku Muhriz was invalid and could not take effect.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Muhammad Faris said the position was consistent with the decision made by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), which convened at Istana Besar Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah, on July 31.
He said the meeting had concluded that the April 19, 2026 declaration concerning the removal of Tuanku Muhriz had no legal effect and could not be used as it allegedly failed to meet the requirements under the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959. — September 9, 2026