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

Negeri Sembilan's Chief Minister Datuk Ismail Lasim has insisted he has no unilateral authority over the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, but has not confirmed or denied signing a disputed document at the heart of a constitutional controversy. The state executive council, chaired by Ismail, stated that any questions surrounding the so-called Instrument of Proclamation should be addressed strictly under the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 and the principle of constitutional monarchy, rather than as a political or personal issue.

The Undang Yang Empat and other traditional leaders have accused Ismail of signing a proclamation on August 3 that dethroned Tuanku Muhriz, which Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad claims to have in his possession. Ismail has filed a police report and affirmed his loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz, while avoiding questions about the alleged signing.

The statement released by the council did not directly address the police report or the disputed document, but instead provided a five-point legal framework arguing that a proclamation does not create constitutional power, that Ismail's involvement in the process under the UUTKNS does not give him power to determine the Ruler's position independently, and that the matter should be settled through judicial determination if a legal dispute arises.