Set record straight over Negeri Sembilan crisis, Johari urges BN

Umno vice-president Johari Ghani urged the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to clarify the recent Negeri Sembilan constitutional crisis to prevent any confusion that Umno was involved in the attempt to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar. The coalition must set the record straight promptly, before nominations are held for the upcoming Melaka elections on November 14, Ghani emphasized.

"It must be properly explained that those seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz are not from Umno," he told Berita Harian. Johari stressed that failure to explain the situation accurately could lead to misunderstandings and potential problems for the coalition. He was specifically questioned about the possibility that the Negeri Sembilan crisis might negatively impact BN's performance in the upcoming state election.

The crisis saw a group of territorial leaders seeking the removal of Tuanku Muhriz, leading to the dismissal of the state executive council for supporting the proclamation by the chieftains. Despite initial rejection by Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim, he later endorsed the state executive council decision. However, the Attorney-General's Chambers concluded that the attempted removal of Tuanku Muhriz was unconstitutional.

The ongoing dispute between the territorial chiefs and the Negeri Sembilan royal court has prompted the filing of both suits and counter-suits.