PUTRAJAYA: The royal crisis in Negri Sembilan should be resolved through dialogue rather than the courts, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this should be the preferred approach, as the sovereignty of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang must be respected.
“In my view, the best solution is through negotiations without the need to bring the matter before the courts,” he told reporters after attending the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Day 2026 opening ceremony yesterday.
In April, the state’s ruling chiefs declared that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir had been deposed as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, setting in motion a series of events that led to the royal crisis.
The crisis deepened on Friday after the ruling chiefs officially proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar during a ceremony held at a hotel in Melaka.
The Negri Sembilan state assembly was also dissolved on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said Barisan Nasional has not fully shut the door on Pakatan Harapan in Negri Sembilan.
“The (caretaker) Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun) has said that they (Pakatan) will contest all 36 state seats.
“Barisan’s door is still open and we have not shut it completely,” he added.
On Thursday, Aminuddin said Pakatan would contest all 36 state seats and that the allocation of seats among component parties would be announced soon.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government continues to recognise the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan held by Tuanku Muhriz, and remains committed to upholding the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers’ institution in the country.
Although the federal government is not directly involved in issues concerning the Negri Sembilan rulership, Anwar noted that the dignity of the royal institution must continue to be protected and that all prescribed procedures and regulations must be followed.
He added that Rulers are bound by established laws, customs and constitutional procedures.
Anwar said he had conveyed his views to Tuanku Muhriz and maintained that all parties should continue to respect constitutional mechanisms.
