SEREMBAN: There is no longer any need for Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim to seek an audience with Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on state administrative matters, say Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar and the chiefs backing him.
In a joint statement on Tuesday (Oct 20), they said the issue of customs and the throne had been settled with the completion of the proclamation on Tuanku Muhriz's removal under Article 10(2) of the Negri Sembilan Constitution.
"This throne and customs crisis has been resolved and should not be turned into polemic or politicised as though it is still unresolved," the statement said.
They also said Tuanku Muhriz's decree revoking consent for the appointments of ten state executive committee members and the gazette that followed, were invalid and unconstitutional.
When the decree was made, they said Tuanku Muhriz was no longer the Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar and could not exercise ruling functions.
They said they had granted consent for Ismail and the ten "to continue steering the administration" of the state government.
The statement was issued by Tunku Nadzaruddin, Tunku Syed Razman, the Tunku Besar of Tampin and the four Undang aligned with him, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, Sungei Ujong's Mubarak Thahak, Jelebu's Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad and Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin of Rembau.
Tuanku Muhriz recognises other chiefs, such as Muhammad Faris Johari as the Undang of Sungei Ujong, Hassan Ab Hamid as Rembau and Azrin Khairi Jelebu.
The statement also maintained that the appointment and position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar fell under the absolute prerogative of the four Undangs, citing Article 71(1) of the Federal Constitution and Articles 10 and 11 of the Negri Sembilan constitution.
"The federal government, its departments and agencies have no jurisdiction in this matter. They must respect the sovereignty of the government of Negri Sembilan and the supremacy of custom and state constitution," they said.
In a video that went viral on Friday (Oct 16), Tuanku Muhriz referred to Ismail's letter to the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal and told him not to come to see him until he retracted what he had said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said the Federal government continues to recognise Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang maintains that he remains the lawful ruler and that there is no vacancy.
The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) said the April 19 proclamation on his removal did not meet the mandatory requirements of Article 10 of the state constitution.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar has said the revocation of the exco appointments is valid because exco members other than the Mentri Besar hold office at the Ruler's pleasure.
The ten's challenge to the gazette is due to be heard in the Seremban High Court on Wednesday (Oct 21).
