KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) and Datuk Ismail Lasim held a meeting on the sidelines of the party’s general assembly to discuss the crisis in Negri Sembilan.
Ahmad Zahid had wanted to seek clarification over the Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar’s claim that he had been coerced into signing a proclamation to remove the state Ruler.
The Mentri Besar has also lodged a police report.
The meeting was held at 4pm but party leaders, including deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and vice-presidents Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin were mum when asked about what transpired at the meeting.
Ahmad Zahid’s political secretary Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin downplayed the matter, saying it was not a proper meeting.
“They were just having tea,” he said.
The Umno president had earlier said he would meet Ismail to seek clarification, as he was unsure if the Mentri Besar did indeed sign the proclamation seeking the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, under duress, as he was not present at the time.
Ahmad Zahid urged the lawyer who prepared the document to make a statement on the matter.
“It was outside of the knowledge of Umno and Barisan Nasional,” he said.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing the Undang of Johol and five others have disputed Ismail’s claim of duress.
Lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz claimed Ismail had signed the document willingly and was accompanied by his personal lawyer, Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Ramat.
“The Mentri Besar acted voluntarily when signing the proclamation dated Aug 3,” he said.
The trio are lawyers for Undang of Johol Datuk Mohammed Abdullah, Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri and former Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Badarudin Abdul Khalid.
They are also representing three former Undang – Datuk Mubarak Dohak of Sungei Ujong, Abdul Rahim Yassin (Rembau) and Datuk Maarof Mohd Rashad (Jelebu).
Mohd Khairul claimed all six individuals, except for Mubarak, had been at Istana Laguna Biru with Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar on Aug 3 when Ismail joined them and signed the proclamation.
Mohd Khairul also confirmed there were no Umno leaders present there.
He said a person who witnessed the ceremony had lodged a police report yesterday, saying Ismail was not coerced.
