KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied any involvement in an alleged instrument of proclamation to remove state Ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
He also denied claims that Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim, who had signed the proclamation dated Aug 3, has submitted his resignation.
“That did not happen,” he said when asked about talk of Ismail’s resignation following the latest developments in Negri Sembilan.
On allegations that he and other Umno leaders were at a meeting before Ismail had signed the document, Ahmad Zahid also said it was not true.
“I was not there. Ismail himself has denied this,” he said.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as well information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had been present at the meeting, according to a report.
Both Asyraf Wajdi and Azalina have also denied their involvement.
Ahmad Zahid said lawyers present at the signing should verify if Ismail had indeed signed the proclamation under duress, as he claimed.
“It is better for the lawyers to confirm this. We have also heard that there may be a press conference on this matter soon,” he said, adding that Umno always upholds and respects the royal institution as well as the Undang of Negri Sembilan.
Earlier, Ismail had claimed that he had signed the document under duress.
On Tuesday 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.
