The Negeri Sembilan royal controversy has put Umno’s position on the monarchy under scrutiny, with analysts questioning how the party can reconcile its stated support for the institution with its recognition of the proclamation seeking the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
The dispute centres on Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim, who had earlier said he was forced to sign the proclamation and lodged a police report over the matter. On Sept 9, he described the document as invalid, unconstitutional and unenforceable, while reaffirming his support and loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz.
However, Ismail later confirmed that the state executive council had unanimously accepted the proclamation during its Sept 15 meeting and instructed the state secretary to proceed with its gazettement.
Analysts question Umno’s consistency
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said the development raised questions about Umno’s consistency, particularly given Ismail’s earlier position.
“You can’t say that you are the protector of the monarchy and at the same time be involved in this,” he told FMT.
He cautioned that the issue could be damaging for a party that often champions principles, citing Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh’s rejection of Pakatan Harapan over what he described as repeated testing of Umno’s principles, dignity and Malay-Muslim sensitivities.
“So, now how are they going to justify it? Does this mean your principles or compass can constantly change, following the direction of the wind,” he said.
Zaharuddin said Umno had faced similar questions over its credibility in the past, recalling its “No Anwar, No DAP” stance and opposition to Bersatu, positions that were later followed by political arrangements or discussions that differed from those declarations.
He said the issue was not whether political positions could change, but whether Umno could convincingly explain the reasons for its latest position.
“Was it new facts, legal advice, developments involving the Undangs, or political considerations,” he asked.
Malay voters may take notice
Zaharuddin and Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the royal dispute could influence Malay voters in future elections, including those outside Negeri Sembilan.
Zaharuddin said the impact could be particularly pronounced among Malay voters in the upper-M40 and T20 groups, whom he said were more likely to scrutinise such inconsistencies.
Mazlan agreed that the controversy risked creating a perception that Umno was directly involved in efforts to remove Tuanku Muhriz.
He said voters tended to reassess political controversies ahead of elections, adding that the issue could affect Umno nationally because it involved the royal institution, which remains important to certain segments of the Malay electorate.
The greater political risk for Umno, Mazlan said, lay among Malay fence-sitters who placed importance on respect for the royal institution and could view the controversy as inconsistent with the party’s traditional positioning.
He said the issue could resurface during the next general election, with Umno’s rivals likely to use it to question the party’s commitment to the monarchy.
Dispute over Tuanku Muhriz’s position
The dispute began in April when Mubarak Dohak, who claims to be the Undang of Sungei Ujong, and three others who also claim to be undangs, announced Tuanku Muhriz’s removal as Yang Dipertuan Besar.
Two months later, Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar was proclaimed the state’s 12th Yang Dipertuan Besar at a hotel in Melaka.
Last week, the four purported undangs produced a proclamation dated Aug 3 bearing Ismail’s signature, which they said formalised Tuanku Muhriz’s removal.
The controversy remains constitutionally disputed, with the Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang maintaining that Tuanku Muhriz remains the lawful Yang Dipertuan Besar and that the state government has no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the proclamation.
