KUALA LUMPUR — Ten former presidents of the Malaysian Bar have called on the Federal Government to step in and resolve the constitutional issues surrounding the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
The recent developments involving Tuanku Muhriz have raised serious concerns over the constitutional monarchy and rule of law, they said in a joint statement today, Bernama reports.
“We call on the Federal Government to step in and finally resolve these troubling issues. This state of affairs sets a dangerous precedent for the constitutional monarchy and the future of this country – a country that must, at all times, chart its course strictly in accordance with the law.
“Such unbecoming and undignified conduct, as well as such utter disrespect for the law, must stop,” they said.
The 10 former Bar presidents are Datuk Mah Weng Kwai, Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, Datuk Yeo Yang Poh, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Ragunath Kesavan, Datuk Lim Chee Wee, Christopher Leong, Datuk George Varughese, Salim Bashir and Karen Cheah Yee Lynn.
They described the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council’s (Exco) endorsement of a proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz as an action done without the process required under Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS) 1959.
They highlighted Article 10, which provides for a “complete enquiry by the Undangs” before a Ruler could be removed, and questioned whether such an enquiry had been conducted and whether Tuanku Muhriz had been allowed to be heard.
The lawyers also questioned the validity of the purported proclamation dated April 19, 2026, including the circumstances surrounding its signing by the Menteri Besar on Aug 3.
They said the Exco did not have the constitutional power to unilaterally remove a Ruler and urged all parties to uphold the Federal Constitution and UUTKNS 1959.
The group also referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers’ position that the purported proclamation was invalid and that the Menteri Besar and Exco did not have unilateral power to terminate or vacate the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
They further said the State Secretary’s Office had declined to proceed with gazetting the purported proclamation.
“We call for an immediate and complete halt to this assault on the constitutional sovereignty of the Negeri Sembilan monarchy and the rule of law.
“We strongly urge the State Government of Negeri Sembilan, all public officials, and all citizens of Malaysia to faithfully uphold the Federal Constitution and the UUTKNS 1959, preserve the rule of law, and fully respect the sovereignty and constitutional standing of His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as the sole, lawful, and reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan,” they said.
The lawyers further said that the Exco is not above the law, and its unlawful conduct in this matter must be curbed.
Following the state Exco’s removal of Tuanku Muhriz last week, the Istana Besar Seri Menanti in a statement late last night said the Yang di-Pertuan Besar had dismissed each of the exco members.
This morning, however, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim refuted the monarch’s order, saying the Yang di-Pertuan Besar had no authority to do so without the advice of the Menteri Besar, based on the principles guiding the state’s constitutional monarchy.
Ismail said the state monarch acts on the advice of the Menteri Besar and that he was never consulted at any time any time to advise on the removal of the exco members. – September 21, 2026