Negeri Sembilan Crisis: This Is a Disrespectful, Uncivilised Move – PM

HANGZHOU, China: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the move by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim and the State Executive Council (EXCO) to dethrone Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as disrespectful and uncivilised.

The Prime Minister stressed that no party within the state administration had the authority or mandate to take such action.

“The Menteri Besar and EXCO made the decision. This is a disrespectful, uncivilised move, and I strongly object to it. Since when did they have the mandate to question the position of the Ruler?” he said.

He said this to the media while travelling on a high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou today.

Anwar was commenting on the administrative and customary crisis in Negeri Sembilan, which has become increasingly difficult to resolve.

Ismail had previously confirmed that the proclamation to dethrone Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan was unanimously decided and endorsed by the state EXCO.

Federal Government Will Not Intervene

Meanwhile, Anwar stressed that the Federal Government would not intervene in the issue of dethroning a Ruler, which he described as a serious and complex matter.

He also explained that his recent decision to seek an audience with Tuanku Muhriz was made because the court had ruled that His Royal Highness was the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

He said that although the power to dethrone the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is subject to the decision of the Undang Luak, such a decision is not absolute and must follow the proper procedures.

“I respect the Undang, and I know some of them well. But they must understand that we are not interfering. At the same time, we have a responsibility to safeguard the country. National security and our institutions are our responsibility. They should not say that we cannot get involved — this is not interference.

“The Undang can make a decision, but that decision is not absolute. It must also follow the proper procedures. Now we are hearing from both sides. There are two parties — one Undang says he is the legitimate Undang, while another says otherwise.

“We have the Luak and differing views on the matter. So I say, resolve that first. If all the Undang have followed the proper process and the duly appointed Undang make a decision, then that is beyond my jurisdiction,” he said.

UTUSAN