The Negeri Sembilan state executive council has affirmed the validity of the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan and recognised Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar as the new ruler with immediate effect.
The decision was made collectively at an Exco meeting chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim yesterday, according to a statement issued by the state executive council today.
The Exco said the proclamation under Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS) dated April 19, 2026 had been signed and sealed by the four legitimate Undang, making it valid and in force.
It said the absolute prerogative of the Undang Yang Empat to elect and remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was provided for under Articles 32 and 79 of the UUTKNS as well as Articles 71 and 181 of the Federal Constitution.
The Exco also said the proclamation had been signed by Ismail on Aug 3, completing the process under Article 10(2) of the state constitution.
On Tuanku Nadzaruddin, the Exco said the proclamation of his election under Article 11 of the UUTKNS dated April 19 had also been signed and sealed by the legitimate Undang.
“Therefore, the proclamation is proper and complete according to the UUTKNS 1959,” the statement said.
The Exco said the state administration would immediately implement the decision and the proclamations made under Articles 10 and 11 of the UUTKNS.
“Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir has been removed from the throne of the Government of Negeri Sembilan by the Undang Yang Empat.
“Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar has been elected and recognised as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan with immediate effect,” it said.
The development follows months of dispute over the state’s royal succession.
The crisis began in April when the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) convened over the position of Mubarak Thahak as Undang Luak Sungai Ujong.
On April 19, four Undang declared the removal of Tuanku Muhriz and named Tunku Panglima Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tunku Nadzaruddin, as his replacement, citing Article 10(1)(b) of the UUTKNS.
The declaration was not recognised by the state government at the time and led to a dispute over the validity of the action and the interpretation of the state constitution.
The dispute was subsequently brought before the Seremban High Court, where six individuals filed an originating summons relating to the DKU.
On June 5, the High Court issued an interim injunction which, among other matters, prevented the six plaintiffs from convening or holding DKU meetings and maintained the status quo of the DKU administration while the court proceedings continued.
The dispute intensified after the Undang Yang Empat, Tunku Besar Tampin and Dato’ Shahbandar Sungai Ujong claimed on Sept 5 that Ismail had signed and completed the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson on Aug 3.
Ismail later said he had been forced to sign the document and lodged a police report. Lawyers representing the Undang Yang Empat denied that he had been coerced and said he had been briefed on the reasons for Tuanku Muhriz’s removal before signing it.
On Sept 15, Ismail said the Menteri Besar did not have unilateral power to terminate or vacate the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, stressing that matters concerning the ruler were specifically governed by the UUTKNS and constitutional principles.
The latest Exco decision therefore marks a further development in the continuing dispute over the validity of the April proclamation and the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
