The Negri Sembilan government has never sought to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and does not claim to have the unilateral power to determine who occupies the throne.
Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim said claims that the state government or menteri besar had “removed” the Yang di-Pertuan Besar were inaccurate.
Distinct monarchy system under Adat Perpatih
He said Negri Sembilan had a distinct system of monarchy based on Adat Perpatih and the state Constitution.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is not chosen by the menteri besar or the state government.
“The Constitution provides a specific role for the Undang Yang Empat in the selection of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, while matters involving adat and processes affecting the institution must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution and through institutions vested with the relevant authority,” he said in a statement today.
Ismail said it was therefore incorrect to portray the menteri besar or state executive council as having unilateral power to determine who ascends to or leaves the throne.
Call for calm and proper channels
He also regretted attempts to portray the dispute as a conflict between the state government and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“Such a narrative does not help efforts to restore calm.
“The issue that needs to be resolved concerns disputes over processes, jurisdiction and the interpretation of actions by the relevant adat institutions.”
Ismail said the matters should be resolved through the channels provided for under custom and the Constitution, rather than through accusations traded in public.
He said the state government did not intend to determine the outcome on behalf of the institutions concerned.
Previous confirmation and prime minister’s response
Ismail had previously confirmed that the proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan was decided upon and unanimously endorsed by the state executive council.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the move by Ismail and the state executive councillors to remove Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir from the throne as disrespectful and uncivilised.
Anwar said no one in the state administration had the power or mandate to take such action.
