Lawyers ask Conference of Rulers to step in over royal crisis

Three lawyers, each specializing in Negeri Sembilan's customs, have petitioned the Conference of Rulers to intervene in a royal crisis within the state. The Conference of Rulers is said to possess a unique position concerning the position, privilege, and honor of Malaysia's royal institution. Emirul Sarifudin Nor Azmi, Asmawi Ismail, and Deidra Nur Azmi stated that the Conference of Rulers should assess and advise on whether recent actions, such as the purported removal of the Yang Dipertuan Besar and appointment of a successor, adhere to the state constitution and the rule of law.

They expressed hope that the rulers would examine the matter fairly and promptly to safeguard the ruler's rights and the integrity of the Negeri Sembilan constitution. The lawyers argued that federal authorities like the Prime Minister or the Attorney-General's Chambers lacked authority to meddle in the Negeri Sembilan crisis. On September 17, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) dismissed a proclamation allegedly removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Negeri Sembilan's Yang Dipertuan Besar, alongside a subsequent announcement by the state executive council confirming the rejection.

The AGC contended that the proclamation was invalid and that the chief minister and exco members had no unilateral authority to remove the ruler. Legal expert Aziz Bari urged the Conference of Rulers to convene a special meeting to resolve the deadlock in Negeri Sembilan. Bari emphasized that the Conference of Rulers was ideally positioned to propose solutions to resolve the issue.

Constitutional lawyer Bastian Pius Vendargon further noted that Article 34 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959 permits constitutional questions to be referred to the apex court for adjudication. Article 34(3) grants the state ruler the power to refer constitutional questions to the Federal Court, which is obliged to provide an opinion on them.