Istana Negri Sembilan draws media attention amid royal crisis

Media outlets have assembled outside the Istana Negeri Sembilan in Kuala Lumpur since 2pm today, anticipating an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar amid a royal crisis. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim are reported to be in attendance. Police vehicles were spotted entering the palace grounds by 5pm, although no official executive vehicles have arrived yet.

The palace disputes in Negri Sembilan have persisted since April when the Undang Yang Empat (Four Lords) ordered Tuanku Muhriz to relinquish his position as Yang di-Pertuan Besar. The Undang Yang Empat then chose Tunku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar. Just earlier today, Tuanku Muhriz rescinded the appointments of all state executive council members, effective immediately.

Data from the Istana Negri Sembilan Grand Chamberlain Datuk Azizi Mohamad Ali indicates this action followed findings that all affected exco members violated their oaths of office.

Under Article XXXVIII(5) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959, a member of the executive council serves at the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar. However, Ismail Lasim argued that terminating or revoking exco appointments without the consent or request of the menteri besar (Chief Minister) is legally flawed, unconstitutional, and without legal standing.

In a recent statement, Ismail alleged he was neither consulted nor advised of any exco member revocations, asserting under Article 38(5) of the constitution that such actions are invalid.