SEREMBAN: The ongoing Negri Sembilan royal and adat (customary laws) crisis has deepened after Raja Norazli Raja Nordin defended his position as Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) secretary following his indefinite suspension by the state's ruling chiefs.
Raja Norazli stated that his appointment was made by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and he was bound to obey the duties and responsibilities entrusted to him.
He described the action against him as an insult aimed at usurping the constitutional powers of the Ruler, and having no legal effect.
"Such is the nature of my office. I am duty-bound to abide by and execute the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me until commanded otherwise by the state Ruler.
"Any action directed against me constitutes an affront intended to usurp the constitutional powers of the state ruler and is devoid of legal effect," he said in a letter dated Wednesday (June 3).
ALSO READ: Negri royal crisis: DKU secretary suspended indefinitely, says Undang of Jelebu
It was addressed to the Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri, Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Utama Badarudin Abdul Khalid and Datuk Mubarak Dohak.
Mubarak was the Undang of Sungei Ujong until his removal, which was officially announced after a special sitting of the DKU on April 17 this year, although it took effect from May 13 last year.
He has since challenged his removal.
On May 29, the six suspended Raja Norazli indefinitely for failing to execute an order to convene a special meeting of the DKU, which was to be held on the same day to discuss the ongoing royal and adat crisis in the state.
They claimed the decision to have the meeting was taken by the majority – six of the eight members of the DKU – yet Raja Norazli failed to follow their instruction.
They said a committee would be appointed to carry out the duties of the secretary in the interim and that the next meeting of the DKU would be held on Friday (June 5).
The DKU is the highest authority governing matters related to Negri Sembilan's ruling chiefs.
Raja Norazli said he had always acted lawfully and in accordance with the duties and responsibilities entrusted to him as DKU secretary.
ALSO READ: Negri royal crisis: DKU cannot convene special meeting as matter before courts, says secretary
"Also, the DKU is not a perfectly constituted body without the state Ruler.
"Any attempt to call a DKU meeting that is contrary to the said provisions and established procedures is unconstitutional and therefore void," he said.
Tuanku Muhriz was not present at the May 29 meeting.
Raja Norazli added that as a DKU executive, he was also bound by provisions in the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959 and established procedures.
"Therefore, I am not obliged to act on any instructions or requests that are inconsistent with the constitutional framework governing the DKU," he said.
He reiterated that he was unable to convene a meeting on May 29 as the six had earlier filed an originating summons in court against him, the DKU, and the state government.
He said a meeting of the DKU could also undermine the integrity of the ongoing court proceedings.
Any meeting called unilaterally by the ruling chiefs and the Tunku Besar of Tampin would be invalid, he added.
