The Negeri Sembilan crisis: Oaths broken, authority challenged, and silence from law enforcement authorities

In a press conference today in Seremban, four Undangs of Negeri Sembilan and the Tunku Besar of Tampin have urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to refrain from interfering in state affairs. They emphasized that Articles 10 and 11 of the state constitution grant exclusive authority to the Undang Yang Empat to appoint and remove the ruler.

The group cautioned Anwar against using federal agencies in ways that could disrupt Negeri Sembilan's administration, warning against overstepping boundaries or causing disorder through federal intervention. They stressed that any unconstitutional actions would breach the prime minister's oath under the Federal Constitution and violate the principle of federalism.

The group also warned opposition parties against attempting to undermine the state government or customs through disparaging remarks, stating that no political party has the power to remove a ruler. They highlighted the historical significance of Negeri Sembilan's customs, tracing them back over 500 years, and maintaining that selecting and removing the ruler is a customary prerogative.

The undangs rejected claims that Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim and the state executive council were responsible for Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir's removal, describing the allegation as malicious slander. The statement was issued by Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah alongside his fellow Undangs, who emphasized that the exco's decision to remove Tuanku Muhriz had no legal effect and that Tuanku Muhriz remained the legitimate ruler.

The dispute arose after Anwar's criticism of Ismail and the exco over several contentious issues related to the royal institution. The group's statement comes in response to the AGC's rejection of the proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar, as well as the subsequent withdrawal of the appointments of all 10 exco members by Tuanku Muhriz, citing breaches of their oaths of office.