Rembau Undang says exco cannot override constitution, DKU ruling on Tuanku Muhriz

On September 17, Undang of Rembau Hassan Ab Hamid rejected the Negeri Sembilan executive council’s stance on removing Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz. He emphasized that an administrative decision cannot override the state constitution or the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) ruling on adat matters. The core issue, according to Hassan, is whether the power to remove or select the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was exercised in full compliance with state constitutional requirements and procedures.

He questioned if a proper inquiry had been conducted before the April 19 proclamation and pointed out that no inquiry was held, Tuanku Muhriz was not notified, and he was not given a chance to be heard, which he deemed a fundamental flaw. The DKU ruled that the proclamation was invalid and affirmed Tuanku Muhriz’s status as ruler.

Hassan cited DKU decisions from July 31 and September 13 that supported this. He disputed the executive council’s claim that the proclamation was signed by legitimate undangs, contradicting the DKU’s assessment of the adat status of three signatories.