On 21/09/2026 at 09:40, news emerged that Negeri Sembilan’s political landscape had entered a new phase of turmoil. The state’s Chief Minister Ismail Lasim publicly refused to recognise the dismissal of the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. This defiance follows a series of moves by the State Executive Council (exco) that have sought to replace the monarch with Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar. The conflict has already toppled one administration and forced a snap election, underscoring the depth of the constitutional clash.
Executive council’s proclamation and the disputed removal
The controversy intensified after a meeting on Sept 15, chaired by Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim, where the exco cited an April 19 proclamation as the legal basis for deposing Tuanku Muhriz. The council declared the proclamation valid, thereby recognising Tuanku Nadzaruddin as the new ruler. However, the same minister had earlier—on Sept 9—asserted that he lacked unilateral authority to depose a state ruler, a statement that now appears contradictory. Ten exco members, together with the state secretary and legal adviser, were named in a legal letter accusing them of breaching a June 5 injunction issued by the Seremban High Court. The injunction, still in force, was intended to preserve the status quo while court proceedings continue.
Dewan Keadilan dan Undang’s rebuttal and legal standing
The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) the council of Undang that advises on customary affairs, issued a forceful response through its secretary, Raja Norazli Raja Nordin. The DKU reaffirmed that Tuanku Muhriz remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar, emphasizing that no vacancy exists “so long as the office is lawfully occupied.” It condemned the exco’s statement as “unconstitutional, null, and void,” asserting that the council and the state government have no jurisdiction to judge the validity of the proclamation or the monarch’s position. The DKU also labelled the April 19 document as “defective from the onset,” reinforcing its binding decision that supports the ruler.
Legal counsel for the DKU accused the exco of a “coup d’état” and treason (derhaka), recommending that the Penal Code be applied. They announced intended contempt proceedings against the ten exco members, the state secretary, and the legal adviser for disregarding the court’s injunction.
Political reactions and public mobilisation
Former Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun echoed the DKU’s stance, stating that the exco’s actions constitute treason against Tuanku Muhriz. He highlighted the puzzling shift in the exco’s position, noting that just a week earlier they deemed the proclamation invalid, then abruptly reversed their stance. Meanwhile, reports indicated that Tuanku Muhriz was set to return from an overseas trip that evening. A social-media flyer called for supporters to gather at the KLIA Terminal One Level 5 car park at 8:30 pm, an event organised by Profans, Waris Dato Siamang Gagap, Waris Negeri Sembilan and Pekan. The rally reflects the growing public interest in the outcome of this constitutional deadlock.
The standoff has highlighted the friction between Malaysia’s written constitution and the centuries-old Adat Perpatih customs that underpin Negeri Sembilan’s monarchy. With the high court injunction still active, all parties have been urged to respect the judicial process and refrain from unilateral actions that could circumvent the courts. As the dispute unfolds, the state’s political future hangs in the balance, and the legitimacy of both the monarch and the executive council remain contested.
