PETALING JAYA: The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar and the state executive council have no unilateral power to depose or vacate the office of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, says the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC).
The AGC said the validity and legal effect of such a proclamation must instead be determined through the constitutional and legal processes provided under the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS 1959).
It referred to a proclamation on April 19, 2026 to remove Tuanku Muhriz from his position as Yang di-Pertuan Besar under Article 10 of UUTKNS 1959 that was supposedly signed and sealed by the lawful Undang.
The proclamation also sought to recognise Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar with immediate effect.
The AGC said it found that the proclamation was invalid as it had failed to comply with the mandatory requirements under Article 10 of the state Constitution.
In particular, it said there was no evidence that any of the disqualifying grounds under Article 10(1) applied to Tuanku Muhriz.
“Although it is clear that the Undang have the power to take action to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan from the throne, Article 10 also provides for procedures and grounds for consideration before such a decision can be made.
“To date, there are no facts showing that the prescribed procedures have been complied with,” it said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 17).
It also raised concerns over the status of some of the Undang who signed the April 19 proclamation, claiming that some had no longer held their positions lawfully after being removed according to customary rules in their respective Luaks.
“Therefore, in actual fact, the composition of the Four Undang was incomplete at the material time of the proclamation.
“As such, the media statement or announcement by members of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council is considered to have no legal effect, as they do not have jurisdiction, authority or power under the UUTKNS 1959 to make such an announcement.
“There is also no legal basis for members of the state executive council to rely on the Proclamation dated April 19, 2026 for their announcement,” it added.
The AGC added that the gazetting or any action to implement the proclamation constitutes an invalid and unconstitutional act.
“The Department urges all parties to respect the court process and allow it to be resolved in an orderly manner,” it said.
This comes after the Negri Sembilan state exco officially announced and validated the proclamation recognising Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar in a press statement on Wednesday (Sept 16).
This is despite Ngeri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim noting that he does not have the unilateral power to depose or vacate the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar on Tuesday (Sept 15).
On Aug 3, Ismail had previously signed an instrument of proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as state Ruler.
However, on Sept 9, Ismail said he was made to sign the document under duress and lodged a report on the matter the same day.
