KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will seek clarification from Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim over claims that Ismail was forced to sign a document seeking the removal of state Ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly on Thursday (Sept 10), Ahmad Zahid said he plans to meet Ismail during the party convention to address the issue.
"I will seek an explanation on what he said," Ahmad Zahid told reporters, adding that he could not confirm if Ismail had indeed signed the proclamation under duress.
The Umno president also firmly denied reports placing him at the signing, calling on the lawyer who drafted, witnessed, and held the document to publicly clarify the event.
"It was outside the knowledge of Umno and Barisan Nasional," Ahmad Zahid added. Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said—who were also named in initial reports—have similarly denied any involvement.
The controversy erupted Tuesday (Aug 8) when former Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad distributed copies of a document purportedly signed by Ismail at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson on Aug 3. Maarof claimed the document formally removed Tuanku Muhriz and noted that ruling chiefs had appointed Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar back in April.
On Wednesday, Ismail publicly stated he had been coerced into signing the document. The Mentri Besar had previously reaffirmed his allegiance to Tuanku Muhriz on Sept 6, emphasising that his administration remains steadfastly loyal to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and focused on state governance.
Maarof, along with former Undang of Rembau Abdul Rahim Yasin—who both continue to challenge their own removals as customary leaders—have urged the Negri Sembilan state administration to honour the document.
