Conference of Rulers Should Review Negeri Sembilan Crisis

SEREMBAN: The Conference of Rulers should review the processes concerning the positions of the Ruling Monarch and the Undang Luak in Negeri Sembilan to ensure that every action taken complies with the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS).

In a statement, a group of Negeri Sembilan Malay customary law lawyers said the review should include matters concerning the dethronement and succession of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar as well as the Undang Luak.

“In this regard, we are of the view that the Conference of Rulers holds a special position within the country’s system of governance when an issue concerns the position, privileges and dignity of the royal institution.

“We respectfully seek the consent of the Conference of Rulers to review the processes that have taken place in order to assess and advise whether every action taken, particularly concerning the dethronement and succession of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Undang Luak, was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the UUTKNS 1959 and the rule of law,” the statement said today.

The statement added that such a request should be distinguished from any attempt to take over the functions of the state authorities under the UUTKNS 1959.

“Through this approach, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers would not replace the functions of the relevant authorities, but would instead review the process, provide advice and ensure that the procedures followed comply with the requirements of the law,” it said.

The lawyers said such a role could be regarded as part of the interpretation of the federal guarantee under Article 71(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution, particularly in circumstances that have reached a critical stage such as the present situation.

“We also emphasise that the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers under Article 71(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution are distinct from the role of the state authorities in exercising their prerogatives and powers within the framework of the state’s own constitution,” the statement said.

It also stressed that the crisis should not be assessed solely on the basis of recent developments, but should instead be viewed in the context of the entire chronology of events.

According to the statement, the sequence of events began with the meeting of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) on March 5, followed by developments on April 17 and the decision of the four Undang on April 19.

“Each stage of this process has a direct bearing on the positions of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Undang Luak and must be examined sequentially rather than in isolation,” it said.

The lawyers also expressed the view that issues concerning the position of the Rulers in the crisis were not limited solely to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

They said the removal of the Undang Luak Sungei Ujong and other Undang Luak also involved the position of the Rulers under the interpretation of the UUTKNS 1959, as the Undang Luak also hold such status within the state’s constitutional framework.

“Therefore, any party claiming to defend the royal institution of Negeri Sembilan should not practise any form of discriminatory treatment between the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Undang Luak involved,” the statement said.

The lawyers also stressed that federal authorities, such as the Prime Minister and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), should not interfere in matters concerning accession to or removal from the throne, which are specifically provided for under the UUTKNS 1959.

“We stress that federal authorities such as the Prime Minister and the Attorney General’s Chambers should not interfere in matters concerning accession to or removal from the throne, which are specifically provided for under the UUTKNS 1959, let alone make hasty declarations of recognition without fully understanding the facts and actual circumstances or take a partisan position,” the statement said.

They therefore expressed hope that the Conference of Rulers would conduct its review fairly, impartially and as soon as possible to safeguard the rights of the Rulers and the integrity of the UUTKNS 1959, as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

UTUSAN