Proclamation on Position of Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Invalid – AGC

KUALA LUMPUR: [UPDATED] The proclamation concerning the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, dated April 19, is invalid as it did not comply with the mandatory requirements of Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS 1959), according to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).

In a statement tonight, the AGC said there was no evidence that any of the disqualifying factors stipulated under Article 10(1) of the UUTKNS applied to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

The AGC also stressed that the Menteri Besar and the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council (MMK) do not have the unilateral authority to terminate or vacate the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

“The validity and effect of the proclamation in relation to this matter must be determined through valid constitutional and legal processes, in accordance with the law, particularly the UUTKNS 1959,” it said.

The AGC said that although the Undang have the authority to take action to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar from the throne, Article 10 of the UUTKNS also stipulates the procedures and grounds that must be considered before such a decision can be made.

“As of today, there are no facts indicating that the prescribed procedures have been complied with,” the statement said.

According to the AGC, another issue that arose was that several Undang who signed the proclamation were no longer lawfully holding office, as they had been removed in accordance with customary practices in their respective luak.

The department said the legitimacy of several Undang who signed the proclamation had been disputed because their removal had been carried out according to customary practices in their respective luak, resulting in the composition of the Undang Yang Empat being incomplete at the material time.

“This department respects the position of the Undang of Negeri Sembilan and acknowledges that the appointment and removal of each of them are subject to the customary rules of their respective luak,” it said.

At the same time, the AGC noted that Article 16 of the UUTKNS 1959 provides that matters concerning Malay custom, including the selection, appointment, resignation and removal of an Undang, as well as any matter referred by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, fall under the jurisdiction of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU).

“Under Article 16(3) of the UUTKNS 1959, the advice of the Dewan (DKU) on such matters is final and cannot be challenged or questioned in any court on any grounds,” it said.

Accordingly, the AGC was of the view that any media statement or announcement by members of the State Executive Council concerning the matter has no legal effect, as they have no jurisdiction, authority or power under the UUTKNS 1959 to make such an announcement.

“Furthermore, there is no legal basis for members of the State Executive Council to rely on the proclamation dated April 19, 2026, in making their announcement.

“Based on the above, the gazetting or any action to implement the proclamation would be invalid as it is unconstitutional,” the statement said.

The AGC also noted that the matter is currently the subject of proceedings before the Seremban High Court and that an interlocutory injunction issued by the court remains in force.

The department therefore called on all parties to respect the court process and allow the matter to be resolved in an orderly manner.

The AGC issued the statement after taking note of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council’s media statement on the decision of the State Executive Council Meeting No. 6 of 2026, dated Sept 15, concerning the proclamation.

Earlier, the media reported that Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim today confirmed that the proclamation had been unanimously decided upon and endorsed by the State Executive Council.

Meanwhile, the DKU today reiterated that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and President of the DKU.

Bernama