SEREMBAN: A ceremony proclaiming Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan has been declared as illegal by Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Azizi Mohamad Ali.
He said the ceremony, which took place at a hotel in Melaka on June 5 was not recognised based on the constitution, legislation and the customary laws of Negri Sembilan.
"Based on the constitution, legislation and adat istiadat of Negri Sembilan, the ceremony is illegal and not recognised.
"As such, the attempt by Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar to assume the title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar is not in force," he said in a statement.
Azizi said by attempting to accept a title illegally, Tunku Nadzaruddin has relinquished the title of Gelaran Pusaka Tunku Panglima Besar Negri Sembilan, which he held previously.
"As of now, the title is not held by anyone and is vacant," he said.
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Negri Sembilan's Undang and the Tunku Besar Tampin had officially proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan during the ceremony.
Present at the venue were Undang Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad and Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri.
Former Mentri Besar Tan Sri Rais Yatim, who was also present, had said the remaining three Undang followed the ceremony live via Zoom.
On April 19, the four Undang decided to remove the state Ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on grounds of misconduct. However, they did not elaborate.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun then said the state government did not recognise Tuanku Muhriz's removal.
Aminuddin claimed this was because Datuk Mubarak Dohak, the Undang of Sungei Ujong had himself been removed as Undang on April 17 and as such, no longer held any authority.
Mubarak, he said, was removed due to offences related to the traditions and customary laws following a meeting of the DKU (Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling chiefs).
The DKU is the highest authority governing the four Undang of Negri Sembilan.
The other three Undang (ruling chiefs) who signed the declaration to remove Tuanku Muhriz were Maarof (Undang of Jelebu), Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin.
