SEREMBAN: Three Negri Sembilan Umno wings say the state government's decision ordering Datuk Mubarak Dohak, the Undang of Sungei Ujong, to vacate his official residence is another sign of the administration's failure to handle the royal crisis.
Umno's state Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings said this was why 14 Umno assemblymen had declared a loss of confidence in Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun's leadership on Monday (April 27).
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"This is not about partisan politics.
"It only shows the failure of the MB to manage the crisis related to customary laws, to protect its dignity and the perception of the people in our institutions," they said in a joint statement on Friday (May 1).
The wings said they took a serious view of the decision to reassign government employees working at Balai Undang Sungei Ujong from Tuesday (April 28).
"We are unanimous in this matter," they said.
The wings said this should not have been done when the Balai Undang Luak Sungei Ujong was in the midst of resolving a dispute involving Mubarak.
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"This shows the state government's directive was inappropriate, insensitive and an attempt to use administrative power ahead of the process of adat (customary laws and traditions).
"The Luak Undang institution is not a normal administrative position.
"It is a part of the state adat structure which occupies an elevated and special position in the history, culture and the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959, and which should be respected, " they said.
They stressed that any administrative actions or decisions regarding the Undang’s official residence, balai, personnel and facilities must be executed with strict adherence to order, decorum and professional wisdom.
In a letter dated Wednesday (April 29), the state government ordered Mubarak to vacate the official residence and the Balai Undang Sungai Ujong with immediate effect.
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The directive was issued to his private secretary in a letter by a division secretary from the State Secretary’s office.
The letter stated that the order to vacate the premises was in line with a meeting of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) on April 17.
Mubarak was also told to ensure that all registered government assets remain in good condition for inspection purposes.
Following this, Mubarak's office formally sought an explanation and the official meeting minutes from the DKU special session which apparently led to his removal.
Mubarak's office also claimed that he was removed without following proper procedures or documentation, and questioned if it was a unanimously supported decision.
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In a letter on Thursday (April 30), the private secretary to the Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, Ahmad Hanafi Ruzlan, requested that the DKU secretary furnish the official minutes of the April 17 special meeting which apparently led to Mubarak’s removal.
On April 19, Mubarak read a declaration removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar on grounds of misconduct.
The declaration was also signed by the three other ruling chiefs – Jelebu Undang Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Johol Undang Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Rembau Undang Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin.
The four unanimously named the Tunku Panglima of Negri Sembilan, Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar, as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
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On April 20, Aminuddin said the state government refused to accept or recognise the declaration as Mubarak no longer had the authority after being removed as Sungei Ujong Undang on May 13 last year.
Mubarak's removal, he claimed, was due to 33 offences related to traditions and customary laws and was carried out in accordance with Article 14(3) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan.
The DKU, he said, also agreed to advise and accept the recommendations of the Telaga Undang and Waris Klana Hulu Sg Ujong, who had agreed to remove Mubarak as Undang.
The DKU, he said, is the highest authority governing the four Undang or chieftains of Negri Sembilan.
The four Undang have since disputed this.
They went on to say that Aminuddin was no longer fit to lead the state administration and should be replaced.
