NGOs to rally in support of Tuanku Muhriz tonight

KUALA LUMPUR: Several NGOs will hold a gathering tonight to show their support for Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir amid the ongoing controversy over his position as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, chairman of the Secretariat for Loyalty and Support for the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, said the gathering would be held at Level 5 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, in conjunction with Tuanku Muhriz’s return from an overseas trip.

“We must stand with Tuanku Muhriz to show that we do not agree with or condone the actions of those who have committed treason.

“If the allegations made by all the Negeri Sembilan executive councillors are true, they have indeed committed an act of treason,” he told FMT.

The planned gathering comes as the dispute over the position of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan intensifies.

Commenting on the state executive councillors’ statement that the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz from the throne in April was valid, Megat described it as embarrassing and questioned whether the executive council had the authority to determine the position of the Yang Dipertuan Besar.

He said the state executive councillors and assemblymen had no authority to make a decision on the removal of the Yang Dipertuan Besar, claiming that such a power was not provided for under the state constitution.

“They should be aware of their position and resign if they have indeed done such a thing. I also believe they are unfit to represent any political party if they have committed an act of treason,” he told.

Megat also urged the police to take action against those allegedly responsible and not delay their investigations if any offence had been committed.

“We do not want this to become normalised in other states. I hope every palace and ruler in states with a constitutional monarchy will monitor such matters so that they do not happen again,” he told.

Yesterday, the state executive councillors said the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz from the throne was valid and recognised Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

According to the statement issued by the executive councillors, the decision was made at a meeting chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ismail Lasim on Monday.

However, the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) had previously maintained that Tuanku Muhriz remained the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, claiming that no valid process had resulted in his cessation from the position.