KUALA LUMPUR – Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has fiercely shut down speculation that he is on the verge of stepping down, dismissing reports of his exit amidst an escalating royal and custom crisis in the state as nothing more than “political games.”
The Juasseh assemblyman firmly rejected viral claims alleging that his resignation was imminent, confirming he remains in office.
“It’s just political games… completely untrue. I am not resigning,” Ismail told reporters in a brief response this morning.
The denial follows a bombshell report by a local Chinese-language news portal claiming that Ismail was preparing to officially sign off on his resignation letter. The outlet ran a bold headline stating: “Ismail Lasim has signed his resignation letter.”
The report highlighted an unfolding administrative stalemate in Negeri Sembilan—one deeply intertwined with palace dynamics—that shows no sign of abating.
Pouring cold water on the rumors, Press Secretary to the Menteri Besar, Mohd Fasha Musthafa, similarly rubbished the news portal’s account.
“The Menteri Besar is carrying out his duties as usual. The report is completely false,” Mohd Fasha confirmed when contacted. – October 23, 2026