KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- The April 19 proclamation concerning the position of Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir is invalid as it did not comply with the mandatory requirements under Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS 1959), according to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
In a statement tonight, the AGC said there was no evidence that any of the disqualification grounds specified under Article 10(1) of the UUTKNS applied to Tuanku Muhriz.
The AGC also stressed that the Menteri Besar and Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council (Exco) did not have unilateral power to depose or vacate the office of the Yang Dipertuan Besar.
“The validity and effect of the proclamation concerning the matter must be determined through valid constitutional and legal processes, in accordance with the law, particularly the UUTKNS 1959,” it said.
The AGC said that while the Undang had the authority to take action to remove the Yang Dipertuan Besar, Article 10 of the UUTKNS also sets out the procedures and grounds that must be considered before such a decision can be made.
“As of today, there are no facts indicating that the prescribed procedures have been complied with,” it said.
The AGC said questions had also arisen over whether several Undang who signed the proclamation were still lawfully holding office, as they had been removed according to the adat (customary practices) in their respective Luak.
The department said the validity of several Undang who signed the proclamation was disputed because their removal had been carried out according to the adat of their respective Luak, resulting in an incomplete composition of the Undang Yang Empat at the material time.
“The department respects the position of the Undang of Negeri Sembilan and acknowledges that the appointment and removal of each of them are subject to the adat of their Luak,” it said.
Meanwhile, the AGC noted that Article 16 of the UUTKNS 1959 provides that matters concerning Malay customs, including the selection, appointment, abdication and removal of the Undang, as well as any matters brought before it by the Yang Dipertuan Besar, fall under the jurisdiction of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU).
“Under Article 16(3) of the UUTKNS 1959, the advice of the DKU on such matters is final and cannot be challenged or questioned in any court on any grounds,” it said.
As such, the AGC said media statements or announcements by members of the State Exco on the matter had no legal effect, as they had no jurisdiction, authority or power under the UUTKNS 1959 to make such announcements.
“There is also no legal basis for Exco members to rely on the April 19, 2026 proclamation for their announcements.
“Based on the matters above, any gazettement or implementation of the proclamation would be invalid as it is unconstitutional,” it said.
The AGC also noted that the matter was currently before the High Court in Seremban and that an interlocutory injunction remained in force.
The department therefore urged all parties to respect the court process and allow the matter to be resolved in an orderly manner.
The AGC issued the statement after taking note of the Sept 15 media statement by the State Exco on its decision concerning the proclamation.
Earlier today, media reported that Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim had confirmed that the proclamation had been unanimously decided and endorsed by the State Exco.
The DKU, on the other hand, reiterated that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir remains the lawful ruler of Negeri Sembilan and chairman of the council.
-- BERNAMA