Ismail confirms withdrawal of letter opposing Tuanku Muhriz

Negeri Sembilan's Chief Minister Ismail Lasim is accused of altering his stance by retracting a letter sent to the state's Chief Ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, and expressing support for him, according to sources. Ismail reportedly met with Syed Danial on Monday, carrying a letter withdrawing his opposition to Tuanku Muhriz's leadership.

The report also cites a source saying Ismail plans to appear before Tuanku Muhriz to express his loyalty and request a resumption of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) session, originally scheduled for mid-October but subsequently postponed to November 26. The letter also appears to confirm the backing of 10 former State Council members who were expelled from Tuanku Muhriz, based on a statement from the Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja following State Council meeting No. 273 on October 14.

Ismail and the former exco member are understood to have reached a decision in support of Tuanku Muhriz based on the High Court of Seremban's interim injunction of June 5, which maintains the status quo. On October 14, the Rulers of Malaysia urged all parties involved in the turmoil within the Ninth Malaysia to use prudence and patience, resolving differences through legal channels, and warned outsiders against meddling or politicizing the crisis, stating that disagreements must be resolved calmly and in accordance with the laws governing the Nine Kingdoms' body.

On October 16, Tuanku Muhriz publicly rebuked Ismail, with several videos posted on social media showing him telling a group of individuals that Ismail had written a letter to the Penyimpan Mohor Raja-Raja, informing them that he was no longer the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. Tuanku Muhriz questioned Ismail's intention to meet him and asked him to leave before retracting his earlier statement.

Negeri Sembilan has been in chaos since April when four individuals claiming to be undang (leaders) announced the removal of Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar. The same law was contested, declaring Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new government in a five-star hotel in Melaka in June. In September, Ismail endorsed his ex-co's statement, which allegedly confirmed the removal of Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar.

Tuanku Muhriz subsequently canceled the election of all exco members. FMT contacted Ismail for a response.