KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim have yet to have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir amid the ongoing royal dispute.
Ahmad Zahid said the issue in Negri Sembilan should not be viewed solely through constitutional and legal interpretations, but must also take into account the royal institution and established customary traditions.
The issue, which had now become a polemic, must be resolved properly and amicably, he added.
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"In my view, this is not just a matter of interpreting the law or determining the powers involved.
"We must also fully respect the (royal) institution and established customary traditions in the state," he told reporters after launching the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit (Uriis) 2026 here on Tuesday (Sept 22).
Asked about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar at Istana Hinggap Negri Sembilan on Monday (Sept 21), Ahmad Zahid said he and Ismail had not been called for an audience with the state Ruler.
"We only found out about it through the media," said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president.
Anwar had an audience with Tuanku Muhriz at Istana Hinggap in Bukit Persekutuan for about an hour on Monday amid a dispute over the state’s royal leadership.
Earlier, on Sept 18 after performing Friday prayers in Putrajaya, Anwar said political interference that was not in line with the wishes of certain quarters had resulted in instability within the institution.
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"In Negri Sembilan, there are those who make a lot of noise about the Malay Rulers, but when a decision does not go their way, they want to remove the Ruler.
"I cannot accept this. We must follow the Constitution and law.
"If we can change the Ruler from month to month, the royal system will fail. That is why the King understands that the existing Ruler is legitimate," said the Prime Minister
The meeting came after members of the state executive council endorsed a proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz and recognised Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Ruler.
However, the state’s Dewan Keadilan dan Undang has maintained that Tuanku Muhriz remains the rightful Ruler.
