The Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) has stated that three of the four undangs who announced the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar were no longer holding the position at the time.
The DKU said former Jelebu undang Maarof Mat Rashad had been considered removed from office since May 31, 2023, due to customary offences.
DKU rejects removal declaration
The decision was confirmed during a special DKU meeting chaired by Tuanku Muhriz and attended by representatives of the Ibu Soko Waris Berundang.
The DKU said it had handled complaints involving Jelebu fairly and advised all parties to accept the unanimous decision by the Waris, Anak Buah and Ibu Soko Waris Berundang to remove Maarof as Jelebu undang effective May 31, 2023.
‘Therefore, the position of Jelebu undang is deemed vacant and any action taken by Maarof after May 31, 2023 must be considered invalid,’ the DKU said in a statement.
It added that the state government had been instructed to take appropriate action based on the DKU’s considerations.
Former undangs lacked authority, says DKU
The DKU also maintained that former Sungai Ujong undang Mubarak Dohak had been removed from office on April 17, 2026, while Abdul Rahim Yasin was never officially appointed as the Rembau undang.
It said Rahim’s reported appointment in August 2024 did not comply with customary procedures and was never formalised through a proclamation ceremony.
‘Therefore, Maarof, Mubarak and Rahim do not have any authority under the law to execute any power under Article 10 of the Negeri Sembilan constitution,’ the DKU said.
Article 10 relates to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar’s abdication or temporary withdrawal at the request of the undangs.
On April 19, Mubarak, Rahim, Maarof and Johol undang Muhammed Abdullah announced the purported ‘removal’ of Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The DKU reiterated that the declaration was unconstitutional and invalid, stating that Mubarak, Rahim and Maarof were no longer recognised as undangs when the announcement was made.
New Sungai Ujong and Rembau undangs confirmed
The DKU said the special meeting was also attended by the newly appointed Sungai Ujong and Rembau undangs, Faris Johari and Hassan Ab Hamid, as well as the Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, fulfilling the quorum requirement.
It maintained that the appointments of Faris and Hassan on June 27 were valid as they complied with the respective customary laws of Sungai Ujong and Rembau.
The DKU also said it was informed by the Sungai Ujong Ibu Soko and Anak-Anak Waris that Shahbandar of Sungai Ujong Badarudin Abdul Khalid had been removed from the position effective July 30.
The council said the position of Shahbandar of Sungai Ujong was therefore vacant and noted that the process of appointing a new Shahbandar had yet to be completed.
The Negeri Sembilan royal dispute is currently the subject of legal proceedings in court.
