Negeri MB insists has no unilateral power over Yang Di-Pertuan Besar, but stays silent on alleged proclamation signing

Negeri Sembilan's Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim maintains he does not hold unilateral authority over the Yang di-Pertuan Besar position, but refrained from confirming or denying allegations he signed a disputed document at the heart of a constitutional dispute. The state executive council, chaired by Ismail, stated that questions surrounding the so-called Instrument of Proclamation must be resolved strictly under Negeri Sembilan's 1959 constitution and constitutional monarchy principles, rather than as a political or personal matter.

This assertion follows claims by the state's four ruling chiefs and other traditional leaders that Ismail signed a proclamation on August 3, dethroning Tuanku Muhriz. Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, representing the Undang Luak Jelebu, allegedly possesses a copy of the document signed by Ismail on the same day he was installed as state chief minister.

Ismail has filed a police report and reaffirmed his loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz, while avoiding journalists' inquiries about the matter. In his latest statement, Ismail presented a five-point legal framework arguing that a proclamation does not automatically grant constitutional power, that the MB's role in the UUTKNS process does not grant authority to independently determine the ruler's position, and that the dispute should be resolved through judicial determination if a legal conflict arises.

The statement emphasized that power in a constitutional monarchy system must stem from the constitution and law, and that the royal institution, Undang, mentri besar, and the state government each have positions and functions defined by the constitution. The constitutional dispute has already garnered national attention from Umno's leadership and could overshadow the early days of Ismail's administration, which began on August 2 following the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional coalition's victory in the state election.

No court proceedings date has been set, and neither the palace nor the Undang Yang Empat has formally responded to Ismail's statement.