Negeri Sembilan Ruler revokes exco appointments over breach of oath, orders MB to propose new line-up

SEREMBAN, Sept 21 — Negeri Sembilan's Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz, has revoked the appointments of the state's executive councillors with immediate effect, citing their breach of oath of office. A statement from the Istana Besar Seri Menanti revealed that a council member had taken and signed their oath before Tuanku Muhriz on August 7, but violated it on September 15.

The council members had pledged allegiance to Tuanku Muhriz and the royal institution, and acknowledged the authority of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang. The September 15 meeting saw the state exco unanimously decide to remove Tuanku Muhriz, and instruct the state secretary to proceed with gazetting the Instrument of Proclamation.

Each affected exco member has been individually informed of the revocation. The Ruler expects the Menteri Besar to submit a list of candidates for a new State Executive Council for his consideration. This follows a constitutional dispute over Tuanku Muhriz's position, with the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang stating that he remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar and that the state exco and government have no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the proclamation or Tuanku Muhriz's position.

The Attorney General's Chambers has also declared the April 19 proclamation concerning Tuanku Muhriz's removal invalid, and noted that any attempt to gazette or implement it would be unconstitutional.