PETALING JAYA: Just days before the opening of the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly tomorrow, there is uneasiness in the state, with reports that the four Undang – the ruling chiefs of the state – are seeking the removal of the Mentri Besar.
The four, upset over a statement by Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (pic) on the removal of the Undang of Sungei Ujong, Datuk Mubarak Dohak, said Aminuddin should not remain in his post.
“We would like to state that Aminuddin is no longer fit to lead the state administration and should be replaced,” the four said.
The four – Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, and Mubarak – are disputing a claim by Aminuddin that the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) had agreed that Mubarak be removed as a ruling chief.
While there is no legal provision for the four Undang to remove the Mentri Besar, constitutional expert Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said the language used can be seen as a strong rebuke to the Mentri Besar.
The current situation, he said, reflects a collective grievance among the four Undang over their dissatisfaction with the state government’s handling of a constitutional-adat issue.
Politically, Rais said the Mentri Besar could be seen as having lost political ground, as the development may be perceived as a form of reprimand from the state Ruler.
“In Negri Sembilan’s system and the state constitution, the four Undang actually function as co-Rulers alongside the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is appointed by the four Undang. Without them, there is no Yang di-Pertuan Besar,” said Rais, who is a former Negri Sembilan mentri besar.
Rais said Mubarak’s removal had caused the tension, and the best way forward would be to return to negotiation within the DKU, based on consensus and adat principles.
Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the developments in Negri Sembilan should be understood through the distinction between adat authority and modern constitutional powers.
“Negri Sembilan’s uniqueness lies in its Adat Perpatih system, where the four Undang play an important traditional role, particularly in the appointment and, in certain circumstances, the removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“However, this authority is confined to the traditional institution of the monarchy and does not extend to the broader machinery of state administration,” he argued.
Awang Azman said the position of the Mentri Besar, however, is grounded in Westminster-style representative democracy.
“The Mentri Besar is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar but must command the confidence of the majority in the state assembly.
“The political legitimacy of the Mentri Besar is derived from the legislature, not from adat institutions,” he said.
However, the Undang may still hold indirect influence in moral, customary and social terms, particularly within Negri Sembilan’s political culture, which continues to accord respect to traditional hierarchy, he said.
“Any calls or pressure from the Undang directed at the Mentri Besar would carry political or ethical weight, but would not have any binding constitutional effect,” said Awang Azman.
Separately, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the state government should have remained neutral and acted as a mediator, rather than issuing statements seen as favouring one side.
“This should have been handled as an internal matter without involving outsiders who have no connection to the dispute over the unique customs and practices in the state,” he said.
