Ahmad Zahid Echoes Negeri Sembilan MB’s Position

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has echoed the position of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim regarding the controversy surrounding the state’s throne.

Ahmad Zahid said legal and authority-related issues in the Negeri Sembilan controversy should not be viewed solely through legal interpretation, as the state’s institutions and governing structure must also be respected.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said the issue should be resolved amicably within Negeri Sembilan.

“In my view, questions of legal interpretation and authority do not merely involve the interpretation of the law. The institutions and governing structure that exist in Negeri Sembilan must also be respected.

“I leave this controversial issue to be addressed in accordance with the response given by the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar. State matters should be resolved amicably within Negeri Sembilan,” he said when met after officiating the 2026 University Research, Innovation and Investment Summit (URIIS 2026) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) here today.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at Istana Negeri Sembilan in Changkat Persekutuan, believed to be related to the issue surrounding the state’s throne.

The meeting took place following the latest developments involving the Negeri Sembilan state administration.

However, no further details were provided on the outcome of the meeting.

Two days ago, Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council members with immediate effect.

According to a statement by Comptroller of the Negeri Sembilan Royal Household Datuk Azizi Mohamad Ali, the decision was made after it was determined that all the EXCO members concerned had breached their oaths of office.

Meanwhile, Ismail said all 10 Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council members remained legally entitled to continue carrying out their duties and that there was no need to submit a new list of appointments.

Ismail explained that this was based on a legal interpretation of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS 1959), particularly provisions relating to executive powers and the status of the State Executive Council.

UTUSAN