PUTRAJAYA: Police investigations are ongoing into Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim’s allegation that he was coerced into signing a proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the state’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar, says the Home Ministry.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said police had opened an investigation paper into the matter.
“The police have opened an investigation paper and investigations are still ongoing.
“Any updates will be given and shared as usual with our friends in the media,” he told a press conference after the ministry’s monthly assembly here on Monday (Sept 14).
The matter came to light on 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 stated that the ruling chiefs had appointed Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar in April.
Ismail later said publicly that he had been coerced into signing the document and subsequently lodged a police report over the matter.
The Mentri Besar had earlier reaffirmed his allegiance to Tuanku Muhriz on Sept 6, stressing that his administration remained steadfastly loyal to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and focused on governing the state.
