Quit if you no longer recognise Tuanku Muhriz as ruler, Loke tells Negeri Sembilan exco members

Negeri Sembilan's DAP secretary-general, Anthony Loke Siew Fook, urged the state's executive council members to resign if they no longer recognize Tuanku Muhriz as the ruler. The MP questioned the Exco's legal authority to make such a decision, emphasizing that the Yang di-Pertuan Besar's position is governed by the state constitution and the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), responsible for customary matters concerning the ruler.

According to Loke, an Exco decision cannot override the constitution or DKU's rulings. Yesterday, the Exco stated that an April 19 proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz was valid and recognized Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar. Loke highlighted that Tuanku Muhriz cannot be removed without following the state constitution's process and pointed out that the Exco members only took their oaths before him in early August.

He argued that if they now no longer recognize him as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, they should resign as a matter of principle and dignity. The Exco's announcement caused confusion, disrupted state administration, and undermined the institution's dignity. DAP remains committed to parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, insisting that the rule of law and the royal institution's dignity must be upheld.

The dispute began on April 19, when four individuals claimed to be Undangs and removed Tuanku Muhriz, a declaration later ruled by the DKU as having no legal effect under the Negeri Sembilan Constitution. The DKU today reaffirmed Tuanku Muhriz's legitimacy as the ruler, stating there is no vacancy or successor and that the Exco's September 16 decision to recognize his removal has no legal effect.