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 argued that his appointment was made directly by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, and that he was bound to obey the duties and responsibilities entrusted to him.
He described any action intended against him as an insult and aimed at usurping the constitutional powers of the Ruler and has 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,” he said in a letter dated June 3.
The letter 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 announced after a special sitting of the DKU on April 17.
However, the removal took effect from May 13, 2025.
He has since challenged his removal.
On May 29, the six had suspended Raja Norazli indefinitely for failing to execute an order to convene a special meeting of the DKU on that day, to discuss the ongoing royal and adat (customary law) crisis in the state.
They claimed the decision to have the meeting was made by the majority – six of the eight members of the DKU – yet Raja Norazli failed to follow their instruction.
The six had also fixed the next meeting of the DKU – the highest authority governing matters related to Negri Sembilan’s ruling chiefs – on June 5.
Raja Norazli pointed out that 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 its 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 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 said 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.
Raja Norazli also noted that the meeting could undermine the integrity of the ongoing court proceedings.
