The four purported undangs of Negeri Sembilan, together with the Tunku Besar Tampin, have defended their bid to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar, claiming that the ruler breached provisions of an 1898 agreement.
In a 12-page statement, the chieftains alleged that Tuanku Muhriz had breached two clauses of the agreement by interfering in the customary affairs of their respective areas and entertaining complaints against their appointed undangs.
They also accused Tuanku Muhriz of hearing complaints against Abdul Rahim Yasin, whom they described as the Rembau undang, from a rival group that had taken part in the undang election.
The chieftains said this occurred despite the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) having confirmed Rahim’s appointment in July 2025.
However, the DKU clarified in a statement issued on Aug 1 that Rahim had never been formally appointed.
The nobles also claimed that Mubarak Dohak, who claims to be the Sungai Ujong undang, was removed from his post after leading an inquiry into the ruler’s alleged interference in Rembau.
“Based on these facts, we maintain that Tuanku Muhriz interfered in the customary affairs of Rembau and Sungai Ujong and acted to remove the undangs of both areas,” they said.
1898 agreement cited as constitutional basis
The chieftains argued that the 1898 agreement between the Yang Dipertuan Besar and the four undangs then in office formed the basis of the Negeri Sembilan constitution.
They said its terms were subsequently repeated and ratified under a 1934 agreement between the ruler and the undangs serving at the time.
They also cited Article 32 of the state constitution, which states that the First Part of the constitution “shall not affect the ancient constitution and ancient custom” of Negeri Sembilan.
The ongoing constitutional dispute began in April when the purported undangs announced the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz as Yang Dipertuan Besar without initially disclosing the grounds or evidence for the move.
Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar was subsequently purportedly proclaimed the “new” Yang Dipertuan Besar by one of the undangs at a five-star hotel in Melaka, while the others participated online.
The DKU, the state’s highest customary council, has repeatedly maintained that Tuanku Muhriz remains the rightful Yang Dipertuan Besar.
Undangs claim they were bypassed
The chieftains also accused Tuanku Muhriz of failing to consult them before a Conference of Rulers meeting and before the appointment of the state mufti.
They cited Article 28(2) of the state constitution, which defines the “ruler” as the Yang Dipertuan Besar acting together with a majority of the undangs when exercising certain discretionary powers under Article 40(2).
Article 40(2) sets out the ruler’s discretion in appointing a menteri besar, as well as functions relating to the state’s Islamic affairs and Malay customs, among others.
The purported undangs argued that these provisions meant they had to be consulted before the Conference of Rulers convened and before the state mufti was appointed.
The dispute remains contested, with the purported undangs maintaining their position on Tuanku Muhriz’s removal while the DKU has maintained that he remains the rightful Yang Dipertuan Besar.
