SEREMBAN: Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has declined to comment on a proclamation document regarding the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan which he allegedly signed on Aug 3.
Ismail, when met by reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at a hotel here about 1.45am on Wednesday (Sept 9) merely smiled and raised both hands when asked about the matter.
He politely declined to take questions from reporters who had been waiting for him in the hotel lobby since 11pm.
"Aren't you all asleep yet?" he asked as he left the hotel with several other executive council members.
Around 10.45pm on Tuesday (Sept 8), the former Undang of Jelebu, Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad shared copies of a document purportedly signed by Ismail on Tuanku Muhriz's removal.
Maarof claimed Ismail had signed the proclamation during a meeting with several other individuals, including former ruling chiefs at Istana Laguna Biru on Aug 3.
"We hope the state secretary and the administration will abide by the proclamation on Tuanku Muhriz's removal which was done in accordance with Article 10(1)(b) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959.
"We, the Undang Yang Empat would also like to state that Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar has been chosen as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar on April 19, 2026," he said on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Also present at the press conference were the Undang of Johol Datuk Mohammed Abdullah and former Undang of Rembau Abdul Rahim Yasin.
Both Maarof and Abdul Rahim are challenging their own removal as Undang.
On Sept 6, Ismail pledged his loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz, emphasising that he remains focused on carrying out his duties for the benefit of the people and the state.
