SEREMBAN: The four Undang and the Tunku Besar of Tampin have advised the Negri Sembilan government to defer Thursday's (April 23) opening of the state legislative assembly by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir until a new state Ruler is proclaimed.
In a joint statement, the four - the Undang of Sungei Ujong Datuk Mubarak Dohak, Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin - and Tunku Besar of Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Syed Idrus Al-Qadri said they would not be attending the event.
They said Tuanku Muhriz could not officially open the assembly as he had be deposed on April 19.
"In line with Article 10(2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959, the Mentri Besar has no other option but to abide by this.
"This is also in accordance with Article 71(1) and 71(2) of the Federal Constitution and Article 79 of the state laws," they said in a statement.
They said their attendance at such an event was also important as it was part of protocol.
When met earlier on Wednesday (April 22), state secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim said the state Ruler would be accompanied by his consort Tunku Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud to the ceremony.
"Both Tuanku and his consort will be present," he said when met after attending an event at Wisma Negri near here.
Checks outside the state assembly building showed that tents and a podium from where Tuanku Muhriz will receive a royal salute and inspect a guard of honour to be mounted by personnel from the 14th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment have also been put up.
Zafir also politely refused to take questions on the list of VVIP invitees for the ceremony.
On April 19, the four Undang decided to remove Tuanku Muhriz on the grounds of misconduct. However, they did not elaborate.
They had also unanimously decided to name the Tunku Panglima of Negri Sembilan Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar, as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The Palace has not commented publicly on the issue, but Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has questioned the legality of the attempt to remove Tuanku Muhriz.
Aminuddin claimed this was because Mubarak had himself been removed as Undang on April 17 and as such, no longer held any authority.
Mubarak, he said, was removed due to offences related to the traditions and customary laws following a meeting of the DKU (Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling chiefs).
The DKU is the highest authority governing the four Undang of Negri Sembilan.
The four have since disputed this.
They went on to say that Aminuddin was no longer fit to lead the state administration and should be replaced.
