A lawyer representing the dismissed Undang of Negri Sembilan, the Tunku Besar of Tampin and the Datuk Shahbandar has claimed that Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim knowingly and willingly signed a proclamation to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz said Ismail’s claim that he signed the proclamation against his will and under duress was an afterthought.
“The Menteri Besar’s reason that he signed the proclamation under duress is an afterthought.
“There were no circumstances that occurred that night which could have led to any element of coercion against the Menteri Besar in making the decision,” he said at a press conference at Galeri Diraja Tuanku Jaafar on Sept 10.
Ismail says proclamation was signed under duress
On Sept 9, Ismail said in a statement that the Instrument of Proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz, which he signed on Aug 3 at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson, was signed “against his will and under duress”.
He said he had lodged a police report on Sept 8 to enable the authorities to conduct an investigation.
Ismail, who is also the Juasseh assemblyman, maintained that the Negri Sembilan government was of the view that the Instrument did not comply with the processes and procedures stipulated under Article 10 of the Negri Sembilan Constitution 1959.
He said the Instrument was therefore invalid, unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Lawyer gives account of Aug 3 meeting
Elaborating on the events at Istana Laguna Biru on Aug 3, Mohd Khairul Azam said that at about 8pm, the Undang of Jelebu, Undang of Johol, Undang of Rembau, Tunku Besar of Tampin and Datuk Shahbandar of Sungei Ujong had gathered there for a dinner with Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar.
He said Ismail arrived at about 10pm, accompanied by his lawyer, Abu Bakar Isa Ramat.
“At that time, an audience was held between Ismail Lasim and Tuanku Nadzaruddin, the Undang of Jelebu, the Undang of Johol, the Undang of Rembau, the Tunku Besar of Tampin and the Datuk Shahbandar of Sungei Ujong.
“During the audience, all the Undang present, together with the Tunku Besar of Tampin, gave their blessing for Ismail’s appointment as the ninth Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar and prayed that he and the new state leadership would be able to resolve the crisis involving the state’s customary institutions,” he said.
He said the Undang had explained to Ismail the decision by the Undang Yang Empat to dismiss Tuanku Muhriz through a Proclamation dated April 19, 2026, pursuant to Article 10(1) of the state constitution, in the presence of Ismail’s lawyer.
He said Ismail was informed that the Instrument of Proclamation required the signature of the Menteri Besar under Article 10(1)(b) of the state constitution.
Lawyer says Ismail signed voluntarily
“After the reasons for the dismissal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir were explained, Ismail agreed to sign the Proclamation for his dismissal in the presence of his lawyer.
“We maintain that the Menteri Besar signed the Proclamation dated Aug 3, 2026, voluntarily and without coercion, in the presence of his lawyer, who was with him throughout the event,” he said.
