KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has flatly denied attending a high-level audience at Istana Negeri Sembilan yesterday, clarifying that neither he nor Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim was summoned to meet Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Zahid’s denial comes in the wake of news reports alleging that several official vehicles—including one believed to be carrying Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim—had converged at Istana Negeri Sembilan in Changkat Persekutuan.
The purported meeting came amid an explosive dispute over Tuanku Muhriz’s position as the state ruler, with reports claiming Zahid and Ismail were expected to join the session.
“I wasn’t there,” Zahid said when grilled by reporters today.
“The menteri besar and I were not summoned for an audience, and we only found out about it through reports in the media,” he added after officiating the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit 2026.
Refusing to wade deeper into the mounting political turmoil, Zahid deferred the matter to Ismail, urging for a peaceful resolution at the state level.
“The matter should be managed and resolved amicably within the state,” he stressed, noting that the standoff involves intricate constitutional boundaries.
“It involves complex legal interpretations concerning powers and constitutional jurisdiction, and state institutions and the royal framework in Negeri Sembilan must be respected.”
The palace drama escalated rapidly after Istana Negeri Sembilan announced that Tuanku Muhriz had revoked the appointments of 10 state executive councillors.
The exco members were sacked for violating their oath of office after issuing a joint statement endorsing the removal of Tuanku Muhriz as state ruler. – September 22, 2026