SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has revealed that he was made to sign an instrument of proclamation to remove state Ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir under duress.
Ismail said he had signed the document involuntarily.
"Referring to the issue of the instrument of proclamation mentioned in a media statement on the night of Sept 8, I wish to clarify that I signed it involuntarily and under duress.
"I lodged a police report around 6pm on Sept 8 to enable an investigation to be conducted by the authorities," he said in a statement.
Ismail said the state government was of the position that the document failed to meet the processes and procedures stipulated under Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959 making it void, unconstitutional, and unenforceable.
"Furthermore, the state exco which met on Sept 8 also discussed, among other matters, the establishment of a peace committee (jawatankuasa pendamai) as a platform to find a solution to the customary issue harmoniously, prudently and based on the spirit of consensus," he said.
Ismail said Article 71 of the Federal Constitution also guarantees the constitutional rights and position of the Ruler.
"The provision states that appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the dignity and position of Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan remain protected.
"I once again express my full support and unwavering loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz as the one and only legitimate and sovereign Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan," he said.
On Tuesday (Sept 8) night, the former Undang of Jelebu, Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, shared copies of a document signed by Ismail on Tuanku Muhriz's removal as state Ruler.
Maarof claimed Ismail had signed the proclamation during a meeting with several others, including former ruling chiefs, at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson on Aug 3.
He then urged the State Secretary and the administration to abide by the proclamation on Tuanku Muhriz's removal.
Maarof also said the ruling chiefs had, during a meeting on April 19, appointed Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Also present at the press conference with Maarof were former Undang of Rembau Abdul Rahim Yasin and the Undang of Johol, Datuk Mohammed Abdullah.
Both Maarof and Rahim are challenging their own removal as Undang.
Ismail had also on Sept 6 pledged his loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz, emphasising that he remains focused on carrying out his duties for the benefit of the people and Negri Sembilan.
In a statement, Ismail said he was aware of a media statement issued by the "Undang Yang Empat" on Sept 5, but he and his administration remained loyal to and firmly supported Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
