Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim must explain why the state government’s endorsement of a proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as ruler should not be regarded as political interference in the monarchy, an analyst says.
Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said interference occurred when a government went beyond acknowledging an issue and took a position on who should or should not be recognised as the legitimate ruler.
Government urged to explain constitutional basis
She said the state executive council should have taken a cautious approach and maintained the status quo after the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) concluded that the April 19 proclamation, purportedly issued by the state’s four Undangs, was invalid.
‘Here, the government was not merely taking note, but making a decision on the position of the Yang Dipertuan Besar,’ she told FMT.
In April, Umno’s 14 state assemblymen, led by Jalaluddin Alias, withdrew their support for Pakatan Harapan’s then menteri besar Aminuddin Harun after his administration refused to endorse the proclamation.
BN had said at the time that the move was made in defence of the state constitution, laws and adat institutions.
The withdrawal led to the collapse of the PH-BN state government and resulted in an election that brought BN to power.
On Sept 15, shortly after being sworn in, Ismail and his state executive council endorsed the proclamation and sought to have it gazetted and enforced, despite the AGC’s position on the matter.
The decision came only days after Ismail had rejected the document’s validity.
On Sept 9, Ismail told a press conference that the proclamation was invalid because it did not comply with Article 10 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959. He also said he had signed it under duress and had lodged a police report to facilitate investigations.
Syaza said Ismail must explain the constitutional grounds that empowered the state executive council to support or recognise a replacement for the Yang Dipertuan Besar.
She said the explanation was necessary because BN had previously accused Aminuddin of interfering in royal affairs by pledging continued support for Tuanku Muhriz as ruler.
‘If there is a substantive position that distinguishes the situation then from now, that difference must be explained,’ she said.
Syaza also said the principle of collective responsibility applied to all members of the state government.
She said the issue did not concern Umno alone, as PAS, which is now part of the state administration, had previously supported Jalaluddin’s actions.
‘If PAS or its exco members had objections, show the record. Silence means agreement,’ she said.
Analysts call for consistency
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said political parties must remain consistent in the principles they uphold, whether in government or in opposition.
‘The people do not only judge decisions, they judge consistency,’ he said, adding that the current crisis was ultimately a test of that consistency.
Zaharuddin noted that Aminuddin’s administration had previously raised questions about interference in adat institutions.
He said the new government must explain where it draws the line when making decisions that directly affect the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Zaharuddin said BN might have its own legal interpretation, while those supporting the proclamation might argue that it was based on customary law powers.
However, he said the positions of the AGC and the state’s Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), which on Sept 13 reaffirmed Tuanku Muhriz as the lawful ruler, could not simply be brushed aside.
Zaharuddin called for an end to politicking in Negeri Sembilan and urged all parties to respect the state constitution, adat institutions and legal process.
‘Politics may change after an election but principles should remain unchanged after gaining power,’ he said.
Three questions for the state government
The analysts said the state government must now explain three key matters.
First, the constitutional basis for its authority to recognise or endorse a replacement for the Yang Dipertuan Besar.
Second, the reasons for taking a position that contradicts the advice of the AGC and the declarations of the DKU.
Third, how its decision to disregard the DKU’s position differs from its criticism of Aminuddin’s refusal to endorse the April 19 proclamation when he was menteri besar.
