Lawyers accuse Negeri Sembilan govt of ‘coup’, threaten contempt action

Lawyers representing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir have launched a scathing attack on the Negeri Sembilan government, accusing it of staging a coup d'état by removing the Yang Dipertuan Besar and replacing him with Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar. In a letter to the state executive council and its members, the lawyers assert that the April 19 proclamation declaring the removal of Tuanku Muhriz was invalid and lacked the authority to do so.

They argue that the Negeri Sembilan government has no jurisdiction or power to make such a declaration and that it contravenes the constitution, is unconstitutional, and has no legal effect.

The lawyers maintain that the government's actions are a clear attempt to undermine Tuanku Muhriz's executive authority and overthrow him, actions that they describe as tantamount to a coup d'état and an act of treason, both punishable under the Penal Code and other laws. They further claim that the announcement breaches interim injunctive orders issued by the High Court on June 5, which prompted the court to grant leave for contempt proceedings on July 8.

The lawyers have vowed to take legal action against the government for breaching these injunctive orders. Their letter comes in the wake of the Negeri Sembilan executive council's declaration that the April 19 proclamation was valid and that Tuanku Nadzaruddin had become the new Yang Dipertuan Besar with immediate effect. The council claimed that the proclamation was signed and sealed by legitimate undangs and endorsed by Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim on August 3, completing the process under Article 10 of the state constitution.