KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) Negeri Sembilan has reaffirmed that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir remains the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the state, saying there is no vacancy in the position and no successor while it is lawfully occupied.
In a statement today, DKU secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin said the state executive council had no authority to determine the validity of the ruler’s position.
The DKU also welcomed Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim’s Sept 15 statement that he did not have unilateral power to terminate or vacate the office of Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Raja Norazli said the Menteri Besar’s position was consistent with the Negeri Sembilan Constitution and the DKU’s own determinations.
He said matters concerning Malay customary law, including the election, appointment, resignation and removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and Undang, fell under the DKU’s jurisdiction pursuant to Article XVI of the state constitution.
“ The Council’s advice on such matters is final and cannot be challenged or questioned in any court on any grounds.”
He said the state executive council and government had no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the April 19 proclamation or Tuanku Muhriz’s position.
“The State Executive Council and the state government have no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the proclamation or the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar,” he said.
Raja Norazli said the executive council’s decision dated Sept 16 therefore had no legal effect insofar as it sought to confirm Tuanku Muhriz’s removal, recognise a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar and order its immediate implementation.
“These matters fall outside the jurisdiction of the State Executive Council and contradict the binding determinations of the Council.
“Accordingly, the decision is unconstitutional, invalid and has no effect,” he said.
The DKU maintained that the April 19 proclamation was defective from the outset, saying no inquiry under Article X(1) of the state constitution had been conducted.
Raja Norazli also said three of the four people who signed the proclamation were no longer lawfully holding the office of Undang when it was issued.
“Following the refusal of the Menteri Besar at the time to sign it, the function under Article X(2) of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959 had already been exercised, resulting in the proclamation lapsing and becoming void.
“Any proclamation purporting to elect a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar, based on the same defective foundation and signed by individuals who did not lawfully hold the office of Undang, has no legal effect,” he said.
He added that the prerogative of the Four Undang could only be exercised by individuals who lawfully held those positions and in accordance with the requirements and procedures prescribed by the state constitution.
The DKU also reiterated its position that state officers were not required to act on instructions based on documents dated Sept 5 or Sept 16.
“Acting on those documents would be contrary to the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959.
“The DKU also takes note that this matter is currently before the High Court and that a court order remains in force,” he said.
The council urged all parties to respect the judicial process and refrain from taking steps that could circumvent or interfere with the proceedings.
“The customary institutions of Negeri Sembilan, including the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the institution of the Undang, do not belong to any political party or individual, but are a trust for all members of the community and descendants.
“The DKU calls on all parties to uphold the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959, respect the jurisdiction and determinations of the Council, and resolve any disputes through lawful constitutional and legal processes,” he said.
Tuanku Muhriz’s lawyers challenge executive council decision
Separately, lawyers representing Tuanku Muhriz have challenged the state executive council’s Sept 16 decision, describing it as unconstitutional and having no legal effect.
In a legal notice issued by Halim & Ismail, the legal team said their client was “shocked” by the announcement and maintained that the executive council had no jurisdiction, authority or power to declare his removal.
“Our client takes the view that your conduct in issuing the announcement is intended to undermine Tuanku Muhriz’s executive authority… and is further intended to overthrow and dethrone the ruler,” the lawyers stated.
The lawyers also described the state government’s actions as “tantamount to a coup d’état and an act of treason”, which they said could attract liability under the Penal Code and other relevant federal laws.
They further alleged that the executive council’s declaration breached interim injunctive orders issued by the High Court on June 5.
Those orders, they said, had formed the basis for the court granting leave on July 8 for contempt proceedings to be initiated.
“Our clients intend to commence contempt proceedings against you for the abovementioned breaches of the injunctive orders,” the letter warned.
The legal notice followed the executive council’s Sept 16 announcement declaring the April 19 proclamation valid and stating that Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar had assumed the position with immediate effect.
The state executive council maintained that the removal process under Article X had been lawfully carried out by the legitimate Undang, and said Ismail had signed the relevant document on Aug 3 in fulfilment of Article X(2).
However, Tuanku Muhriz’s lawyers questioned whether Ismail had personally endorsed the latest declaration, noting that it was issued under the collective description of the Negeri Sembilan executive council rather than bearing the Menteri Besar’s direct signature.
The dispute is currently before the Seremban High Court. – September 17, 2026