KUALA LUMPUR – The Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar and state executive committee do not have unilateral power to remove or declare vacant the position of Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said today.
The AGC said the validity and legal effect of any proclamation concerning the position must be determined through proper constitutional and legal processes, in accordance with the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959.
The statement comes amid a dispute over an April 19 proclamation purportedly removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and recognising Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The AGC said it had previously given the preliminary view that the proclamation was invalid as it did not comply with the mandatory requirements of Article 10 of the state constitution.
“This department has given the preliminary view that the proclamation dated April 19, 2026 is invalid because it does not comply with the mandatory requirements of Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, particularly as there is no evidence that any of the disqualification factors stated in Article 10(1) of the state constitution apply to His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.”
The AGC said the four Undang had the power to take action to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, but such action remained subject to specific procedures and considerations under the state constitution.
“Although it is clear that the Dato’-Dato’ Undang have the power to take action to remove His Royal Highness the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan from the throne, Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 also provides for the procedures and grounds for consideration before the Dato’-Dato’ Undang can make such a decision,” it said.
The AGC said there were, to date, no facts indicating that the prescribed procedures had been complied with.
Earlier today, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim confirmed that the state executive council had unanimously endorsed the proclamation during its Sept 15 meeting.
He said the state secretary had been instructed to proceed with gazetting the proclamation in accordance with existing regulations.
“Today, I would like to confirm that the proclamation was indeed discussed and unanimously decided upon by all members of the state executive council during a meeting on Sept 15.
“The Exco has already directed the state secretary to proceed with the gazetting process in accordance with existing regulations. That is all. Thank you,” he told reporters after attending the Negeri Sembilan First-Class Graduates Excellence Awards ceremony at a hotel here today.
Ismail had earlier said he would make only a brief statement and would not take questions.
“Short and simple and I will not be taking any questions.
“You understand? Short and simple and no questions to be asked,” he said.
The confirmation followed a statement issued by the state executive council on Wednesday declaring the April 19 proclamation valid and recognising Tuanku Nadzaruddin as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar with immediate effect.
The Exco said the proclamation had been signed and sealed by the lawful Undang and was subsequently completed when Ismail signed it on Aug 3.
It said the decision was based on Articles 10 and 11 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, as well as provisions concerning the prerogative of the four Undang to elect and remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“It is the absolute prerogative of the four Undang to elect and remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
“This prerogative is guaranteed by Article 32 and Article 79 of the state laws as well as Article 71 and Article 181 of the Federal Constitution,” the Exco said.
The position taken by the Exco has been challenged by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), which maintains that Tuanku Muhriz remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar and that there is no vacancy in the position.
DKU secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin said the state government and Exco did not have jurisdiction to determine the validity of the proclamation or the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“The state executive council and the state government do not have the jurisdiction to determine the validity of the said proclamation or the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“The decision of the state Exco dated Sept 16 has no legal effect,” he said.
The dispute centres on the April 19 proclamation purportedly removing Tuanku Muhriz and naming Tuanku Nadzaruddin as his successor.
On Sept 9, Ismail confirmed that he had signed the document but said he had done so against his will and under duress. He also lodged a police report over the matter and said the state government considered the document invalid, unconstitutional and unenforceable because it did not comply with the procedures under Article 10 of the state constitution.
At the time, Ismail also reaffirmed his support for Tuanku Muhriz as the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The latest developments have deepened the constitutional and customary dispute over the Negeri Sembilan throne, with the state Exco and DKU taking opposing positions on the validity and legal effect of the proclamation.
Also present at today’s event were several state executive councillors, including Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris, Siow Kong Choon, Datuk Mohd Razi Mohd Ali and Datuk Razali Abu Samah. — September 17, 2026