PETALING JAYA: A Negri Sembilan Undang, three other ruling chiefs whose positions are in dispute and the Tunku Besar Tampin have rejected the removal of the state's 10 executive councillors, calling the move unconstitutional and without effect.
In a joint statement on Friday (Sept 25), the group said decisions concerning the position of state executive councillors must be made on the advice of the Mentri Besar, the state executive council, or both.
“The action by Tunku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir in ordering the announcement to remove the Negri Sembilan state executive council was wrong, unconstitutional and without effect.
“Any decision concerning the position of the exco under the Negri Sembilan Constitution 1959 must be referred to and implemented on the advice of the Mentri Besar and/or the state executive council,” they said.
The statement was issued by Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammad Abdullah, alongside Datuk Mubarak Thahak, Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad and Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, whose positions as the Undang of Sungei Ujong, Jelebu and Rembau respectively are in dispute.
Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Syed Idrus Al-Qadri was also a signatory.
The group reiterated its position that Tuanku Muhriz had been removed as Yang di-Pertuan Besar on April 19 under Article 10(1) and (2) of the state Constitution.
They claimed the proclamation was completed with the signature of Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim on Aug 3 and did not require gazettement.
“We reiterate that Tunku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir had already been removed from the throne pursuant to Article 10(1) and (2) of the Negri Sembilan Constitution 1959 on April 19, 2026,” they said.
They maintained that the power to elect and remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar rested with the Undang Yang Empat, and rejected allegations that the Mentri Besar and exco were responsible for the purported removal.
“The Mentri Besar and exco have absolutely no such power, but were merely carrying out their constitutional duties in complying with our decision as the Undang Yang Empat,” they said.
The statement comes a day after the revocation of the appointments of the 10 exco members was gazetted.
The gazette, dated Sept 24, stated that Tuanku Muhriz had withdrawn his consent and revoked their appointments under Article XXXVIII(5) of the state Constitution after they breached their pledges of allegiance.
The revocation took effect on Sept 20.
