SEREMBAN: Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim sought an audience with state ruler, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, on Tuesday (Sept 29) morning to resolve the ongoing customary and constitutional crisis in Negri Sembilan.
The Mentri Besar's vehicle was seen entering Istana Hinggap near here at around 10.50am.
Also seen entering the palace were the Undang of Sungei Ujong Muhammad Faris Johari and Undang of Rembau Hassan Ab Hamid.
State chief police office Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad was also present.
On Sunday (Sept 27), Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Ismail to seek an audience with Tuanku Muhriz to discuss a resolution to the customary crisis in the state.
He gave Ismail the mandate to seek the best solution, which includes holding an audience with the Ruler and meeting the Undang (ruling chiefs) and other customary leaders in the state to resolve the crisis in the state.
He said steps needed to be taken to ensure the Negri Sembilan administration continues to function smoothly, despite the appointments of the 10 state executive council members being revoked.
Ahmad Zahid said the situation in Negri Sembilan must be dealt with in accordance with the state constitution, customs and existing regulations.
He said engagement with the state’s traditional institutions was important in finding an amicable way forward while respecting the state constitution and customs.
Tuanku Muhriz had revoked the appointments of the 10 state excos on Sept 20 after they were found to have violated their oath of office.
The 10 were Datuk Mohd Asna Amin, Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli, Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris, Datuk Mustapha Nagoor, Datuk Mohd Razi Mohd Ali, Siti Nur Umaira Hasim, Suhaimizan Bizar, Siow Kong Choon, Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa and Datuk Razali Abu Samah.
In a statement, the Negri Sembilan Palace said the members had taken and signed an oath and pledge of allegiance before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar on Aug 7, and undertaken to protect and preserve the sovereignty of the state Constitution, and acknowledged the authority vested in the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang before their sweating in on Aug 7.
However, they had breached that oath by their actions and statements on Sept 15 when they said an April 19 proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz had been signed and sealed by the lawful Undang (ruling chiefs) and became complete when Ismail signed it on Aug 3.
They said Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar was now the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, replacing Tuanku Muhriz.
On Monday (sept 28), the 10 former executive councillors had their statements recorded by Bukit Aman officers over the state's ongoing constitutional and adat (customary) crisis.
The former excos turned up at the state Islamic Affairs Council building, where they were understood to have been questioned separately.
