Negeri Sembilan MB moves to back Tuanku Muhriz and avert government shutdown, says source

KUALA LUMPUR, November 14 — The Negeri Sembilan Chief Minister, Datuk Ismail Lasim, has taken recent actions to support Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the state's ruler, potentially resolving the ongoing seven-month-long constitutional crisis. At present, the state government is largely non-functional, with Ismail being the only member of the executive council, as his colleagues were dismissed by Tuanku Muhriz for violating their oaths of office and loyalty.

To proceed with the state assembly meeting to approve the state budget and prevent a government shutdown, Ismail urgently needs Tuanku Muhriz’s approval. A source revealed that Ismail met with Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, and handed him a letter withdrawing his objections to Tuanku Muhriz’s position as state ruler.

The move has also received backing from the ten former members of the state executive council who were removed by Tuanku Muhriz. Syed Danial is expected to inform the Conference of Rulers about Ismail’s decision.

Ismail is now anticipated to meet with the state ruler to express his loyalty and obtain consent for the state assembly to convene. It was previously reported that Ismail had written a letter to the Conference of Rulers in September, declaring Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the "new" Yang di-Pertuan Besar, following an attempt to install him as the new ruler, which has not been acknowledged by the federal government led by Anwar Ibrahim.

During the crisis in Negeri Sembilan, the Conference of Rulers convened last month without Tuanku Muhriz. Their statement after the meeting emphasized the need to avoid external interference and attempts to politicize the situation, warning that contradictory and irresponsible statements would worsen tensions, confuse the public, and damage the dignity of the royal institution.

The state election that saw Barisan Nasional winning 18 seats, Pakatan Harapan 11, and Perikatan Nasional seven, led to Ismail being sworn in as Menteri Besar by Tuanku Muhriz on August 2. The scheduled assembly meeting, originally set for October 16, was postponed to November 26 to align with the planned tabling of the state budget, depending on Tuanku Muhriz’s consent.

The relationship between Tuanku Muhriz and Ismail deteriorated last month when Tuanku Muhriz publicly criticized Ismail.