KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders have denied their involvement in an alleged meeting where Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lassim was made to sign an instrument of proclamation to remove state Ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
“I wasn’t there when it was signed. I wasn’t even aware," said Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said briefly when met by reporters after the closed-door presidential briefing by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday (Sept 9).
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also denied his involvement.
“I’m not from Negri Sembilan. I wasn’t there and was never involved,” he said briefly when asked by reporters.
This comes following a report claiming that Umno’s top brass including party president Ahmad Zahid, Asyraf Wajdi as well Azalina, were present, quoting sources.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ismail revealed that he was made to sign the document under duress.
Ismail has since denied Ahmad Zahid’s involvement.
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.
