Apa langkah MB Negeri Sembilan seterusnya?

Speaker Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz, recently rebuked the state's Menteri Besar, Ismail Lasim. During the rebuke, Tuanku Muhriz sternly instructed Ismail not to approach him. The rebuke was captured in a video where Ismail seemed to raise his hands in surrender. The question arises: does Tuanku Muhriz fully understand the situation? What exactly is it that Tuanku Muhriz wants Ismail to do?

Ismail Lasim had written a letter to the Chief Secretary recently, stating that the decision made with the exco was valid, and that he was not now the Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. In my view, retracting what Tuanku Muhriz demanded is tantamount to Ismail acknowledging that he is still the Yang Di Pertuan Besar, but rather a declaration of loyalty. This 'retraction' (if it can be considered a retraction) would be like a window in the chaos of Negeri Sembilan.

Interestingly, before this incident, Tuanku Muhriz also opened a window. It was when he asked Ismail to submit a new list of exco members to replace those who were sacked. In my opinion, this window provided an opportunity for an amicable resolution to the crisis. However, no new list was presented, and Ismail instead proceeded to sack several exco members, thus missing this chance for a peaceful resolution. The crisis continues to escalate.

Perhaps Ismail is pressured by Umno, or maybe he feels responsible for retaining the exco members. Perhaps he is caught between his party and the palace. Only God knows the real reasons. The truth is, Ismail's actions, or rather, the lack of them, are troubling the situation. It is not necessary to explain why Ismail sacked the 10 exco members, as most people already know.

Nor is it necessary to explain why Tuanku Muhriz is angry with Ismail, as this is also widely known. What I want to emphasize is this: the reality is that Ismail is now on his own. He is a state minister without an exco, and can be considered a minister without a government. Umno seems to have abandoned him, leaving him to face the crisis alone.

He has been openly rebuked by the Yang Di Pertuan Besar in front of the public. He is not welcome to join the gathering (unless he meets the conditions). The crisis is becoming more severe. How can the state be governed if the Yang Di Pertuan Besar does not want to see the Menteri Besar? How can it be managed if the Menteri Besar is not in agreement with the Yang Di Pertuan Besar?

We know that many administrative tasks require the consent of the king and the Menteri Besar, let alone when the Menteri Besar does not have the support of the exco. Ismail has opened a window by not presenting a new exco list. But what about the second window? Is he still thinking or will he be sacked as well? The opinions of the pundits, analysts, and friends I consulted are unanimous - they all agree on this point.

It is not necessary for me to disclose their opinions. It seems many can understand this. Perhaps many others share the same view.