Krisis N Sembilan: Umno silap perhitungan

Krisis perlembagaan di Negeri Sembilan mayhap can be avoided if Umno respects the rule of law and constitution. Eliminating the Ruler, the Yang Di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz, appears to be a result of Umno's political chauvinism following his electoral victory. Winning an election does not give a political party the right to manipulate constitutional institutions for partisan purposes.

The customary law governing the appointment of the Yang Di Pertuan Besar seems to have been manipulated to serve Umno's political leadership interests. Whether Umno's leadership gave the green light to attempt removing the rightful and constitutional Yang Di Pertuan Besar is unclear. However, it is reasonable to question: if the attempt succeeds, will Umno's national leadership stand against it?

It can be assumed that they would invoke this outcome. The step to remove the Yang Di Pertuan Besar at this time appears to be questionable and, as subsequently confirmed by the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), contravenes the need for constitutional control over the matter. Thus, Umno finds itself trapped in legal and constitutional complications it created itself.

The AGC's finding that the attempt to remove the Yang Di Pertuan Besar is unlawful and unconstitutional provides the rightful Yang Di Pertuan Besar with a constitutional basis to respond. Only time before the Empire struck back – and strike back firmly. The Yang Di Pertuan Besar subsequently declared that the constitutional basis for appointing State Legislative Assembly members had been breached and revoked their appointments.

The Chief Minister was not removed, but the political faction he ruled now finds its maneuverability severely restricted. This is an extraordinary constitutional situation. The Chief Minister remains in office, but members of the State Legislative Assembly who usually assist him in running the state have been removed. The result is a government whose political maneuverability and governing ability have been markedly hampered.

Umno should not attempt to manipulate the traditional government appointment system in Negeri Sembilan to gain a political advantage. The unique customary system governing the selection of the Yang Di Pertuan Besar is part of the state's constitutional legacy. It should not be a tool for political machination. By attempting to replace the current Yang Di Pertuan Besar with a government deemed more amenable or politically accommodating, Umno has created a far greater problem than it can handle.

Ironically, the attempt to weaken the Yang Di Pertuan Besar may have strengthened his constitutional standing. Now standing as a constitutional authority challenging what appears to be an attempt to encircle him under the guise of constitutional concerns. It is said that the current government has long been unhappy with Umno's handling of politics in the state.

It is also reportedly understood from a reliable source that the current Yang Di Pertuan Besar is deeply disgusted by corruption and firmly believes in the need to respect law and constitution. So, is the attempt to change the government truly about constitutional principle or political convenience? If it is about politics, then Umno has seriously miscalculated.

The consequences of the method claimed to remove the Yang Di Pertuan Besar now produce a constitutional power that is greater than they intended. Its implications should be clear. A political party may win an election, secure a majority, and form a government, but they do not have a constitution. The election victory or political power does not give them a license to alter constitutional conventions to serve their party interests.

Thus, the Negeri Sembilan crisis is more than just a dispute between the palace and the State Legislative Assembly. It is a test of whether political power will remain subservient to constitutional authority. Umno created this crisis. Now it must be responsible for finding a way out of it. If anyone needs to step back from this constitutional dispute, it must be Umno.