TAMPIN: The Undang and Tunku Besar Tampin have suspended Raja Norazli Raja Nordin indefinitely as Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) secretary.
The move follows his failure to call a meeting of the body, which is the highest authority governing matters related to the ruling chiefs in Negri Sembilan.
Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad said a committee will be appointed to carry out the duties of the DKU secretary in the interim.
He spoke on behalf of the group following a meeting at the official residence of the Tunku Besar Tampin on Friday (May 29).
Maarof said the decision was made collectively by six of the eight members of the DKU.
"We are incensed and disappointed with Raja Norazli for failing to carry out our order to call for a meeting today," he told reporters.
He added that although the decision to call for a meeting was taken by the majority, Raja Norazli failed to follow the instruction.
Maarof said the secretary should have obeyed the order as the four Undang were also co-rulers in the state.
"There is no such thing as veto power in the DKU and whatever decision taken has to be based on the voice of the majority," he said.
The group also decided that any correspondence signed by Raja Norazli from April 17 onwards is without the mandate of the majority.
They claimed such actions were against the state's adat institution.
The decision involved the Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Undang Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin.
Others included Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Syed Idrus Al-Qadri, Datuk Shahbandar Datuk Seri Utama Badarudin Abdul Khalid and Datuk Mubarak Dohak.
Mubarak was the former Undang of Sungei Ujong and was officially removed in April, though he is challenging the move.
Maarof said the next meeting of the DKU will be held on June 5 at the same venue.
Invitations will be sent to other members including the state ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and his son Tunku Ali.
The Chief Secretary to the Government, the Attorney General and the Inspector-General of Police will be invited as independent observers.
Also to be invited are the Mentri Besar, state secretary, state Mufti and legal advisor.
Maarof expressed disappointment with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and his administration.
He claimed they failed to remain neutral in the state royal and adat crisis.
In a letter to the six on Thursday (May 28), Raja Norazli said the DKU cannot convene a special meeting because the parties are in a legal dispute.
He argued that any meeting called unilaterally by the ruling chiefs would be invalid.
Raja Norazli said no official meeting can be called while an originating summons against him, the DKU and the state government is pending.
He said any meeting held now could undermine the integrity of the ongoing court proceedings.
On May 6, the Undang, Mubarak, Tunku Syed Razman and Badarudin filed an originating summons at the High Court.
They are seeking to compel the DKU secretary to provide a copy of the minutes of a special session.
The session reportedly advised on Mubarak's removal as Undang of Sungei Ujong.
The six claimed that as members of the DKU, they had the right to be furnished with the minutes of the session held on April 17.
They are seeking a declaration that the defendants provide the minutes within seven days.
They also want all decisions taken during the session to be suspended until then.
The High Court has ordered the defendants to file affidavits within seven days.
This followed preliminary objections that the court lacked jurisdiction under Article 16(3) of the State Constitution 1959.
The court has fixed July 28 to hear the case.
