MB reverses position, pledges support for Tuanku Muhriz, says report

Negeri Sembilan's Chief Minister, Ismail Lasim, has reportedly altered his stance and is now backing Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang Dipertuan Besar, according to sources. The Malay Mail quoted an unnamed source who revealed that Ismail met with Syed Danial Syed Ahmad earlier this week to withdraw his objections to Tuanku Muhriz's leadership.

It is also reported that Ismail intends to seek an audience with Tuanku Muhriz to reaffirm his loyalty and discuss the reconvening of the state assembly, which was initially scheduled for mid-October but has now been rescheduled for November 26. The letter, as per the sources, also confirms the unanimous support of the 10 sacked executive council members for Tuanku Muhriz, taking into account the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal's statement following the 273rd meeting of the Conference of Rulers on October 14.

The decision to support Tuanku Muhriz is believed to be based on the Seremban High Court's ruling on June 5, which granted an ad interim injunction to maintain the status quo. The Malay rulers had urged all parties involved in the Negeri Sembilan royal dispute to exercise wisdom and patience, find a resolution through lawful means, and cautioned outsiders against meddling in or politicizing the crisis, emphasizing that the issue should be addressed courteously and according to the Negeri Sembilan constitution.

The crisis began in April when four undangs, or chieftains, claimed Tuanku Muhriz's removal as the Yang Dipertuan Besar, with a similar claim of a "new" ruler, Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar, made in June at a hotel in Melaka. Ismail had previously endorsed a statement that allegedly affirmed Tuanku Muhriz's removal as the ruler, but Tuanku Muhriz later revoked the appointments of the entire executive council.