SEREMBAN: Lawyers representing the Undang of Johol and five others are disputing claims by Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim that he was forced to sign a proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.
Counsel Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz claimed Ismail signed the document willingly and voluntarily after being briefed on the reasons behind Tuanku Muhriz's removal.
He said Ismail was accompanied by his personal lawyer, Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, throughout the process.
"The Mentri Besar acted voluntarily and without duress when signing the proclamation dated Aug 3.
"Therefore, his claim that he signed under duress is an afterthought. Nothing happened that night to force or pressure the Mentri Besar into making that decision," he told reporters here.
Also present at the press conference were lawyers Asmawi Ismail and Emirul Sarifudin Nor Azmi.
The trio are lawyers for Undang of Johol Datuk Mohammed Abdullah and the former Undang of Sungei Ujong Datuk Mubarak Dohak, Undang of Rembau Abdul Rahim Yassin, Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mohd Rashad, Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri and former Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Badarudin Abdul Khalid.
The three former Undang are challenging their dismissal.
On Wednesday (Sept 9), Ismail revealed that he was made to sign an instrument of proclamation at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson on Aug 3 under duress.
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.
Ismail also expressed his full support and unwavering loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz as the one and only legitimate and sovereign Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.
He also lodged a police report to enable an investigation to be conducted by authorities.
Mohd Khairul said all the six individuals except for Mubarak gathered at Istana Laguna Biru for dinner with Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar at around 8pm on Aug 3.
(The Undang and former Undang had during a meeting on April 19 appointed Tuanku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar).
He said Ismail arrived around 10pm with his lawyer.
After giving their blessings to Ismail on his appointment, Mohammed and the three former Undang explained the reasons behind Tuanku Muhriz's removal, which they said was done in line with provisions under Article 10(1) of the laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959.
Mohd Khairul claimed there was nothing to suggest that Ismail was stressed or was pressured into signing the document.
He said before signing, lawyer Emirul Sarifudin explained the contents of the document to Ismail.
Asked if the instrument of proclamation could be challenged, Mohd Khairul said the burden would be on Ismail.
" Since he lodged a report, it will be upon him to challenge the validity of the document," he said.
Asked why the reasons behind Tuanku Muhriz's removal were not made public, he said there is no requirement for that matter to be disclosed/
"As we are well aware, it is best that this is not disclosed in order to protect the dignity of all parties," he said.
Asked if the proclamation was valid since Tuanku Muhriz was not given the opportunity to be heard as provided for under the state laws, Mohd Kharul said Tuanku Muhriz could always challenge it.
"But until now, there has been no challenge against the decision," he said.
Mohd Khairul also said there were no Umno leaders present during the signing ceremony.
He said an individual who witnessed the ceremony had also lodged a police report on Thursday to state that Ismail was not pressured to sign the document.
