Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim has been urged to explain why he signed a proclamation concerning the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Former menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said Ismail owed the public an explanation, particularly after claiming that he had signed the proclamation under duress.
In a Facebook post, Aminuddin said he had faced a similar situation during his tenure when he was asked to sign a document dated April 19.
However, he said he had doubts about the legal process under Article 10 of the Negri Sembilan Constitution.
‘If I could decide not to sign it due to doubts over the process, how did the menteri besar after me end up signing the exact same document?’ he said.
Aminuddin said police were investigating Ismail’s claim that he had signed the document under duress, but maintained that Ismail owed the public an explanation.
He said Ismail must be honest about his actions and should not blame the ongoing impasse on the previous administration.
‘The public has a right to know why his signature is on the proclamation document and the actual circumstances surrounding his claim of being forced to sign.’
Dispute over Article 10
Aminuddin said Article 10 must be read as a constitutional process governed by specific conditions and procedures.
He said the Attorney-General’s Chambers was of the view that the former Undang’s proclamation on the removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir was invalid because the mandatory requirements under Article 10 had not been met.
While the secretariat for the four Undang disputed the AGC’s position, Aminuddin said the conflicting interpretations showed that the matter involved a substantive legal issue.
‘The difference in interpretation shows that compliance with Article 10 is a substantive question, not something that can be simplified by blaming one party,’ he said.
Aminuddin stands by AGC position
Aminuddin said he stood by the decision of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which he described as carrying more authority.
‘I stand by the decision of the AGC, which carries more authority,’ he said.
