KUALA LUMPUR: The clock is ticking for Negeri Sembilan’s political leaders to find a workable solution to the state’s escalating constitutional crisis.
With barely a month remaining before the six-month constitutional deadline lapses on June 5, pressure is mounting on the state government, Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the palace to convene the legislative assembly and resolve the impasse surrounding Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun’s position.
The crisis, which began as a dispute involving the Negeri Sembilan royal institution and the Undang Luak, has since evolved into a wider constitutional and political confrontation involving the state government, Umno, PH, Perikatan Nasional (PN) and the palace.
The immediate concern centres on whether the assembly can legally remain suspended much longer without risking a constitutional deadlock.
Constitutional deadline approaching
Lawyer Mohd Zainuddin Omar said the state constitution clearly requires the assembly to sit within six months of its last sitting, which was held on Dec 5 last year.
“The deadline is June 5, which means there is now roughly one month left,” he said.
The uncertainty stems from the controversial assembly sitting on April 23, which was officiated by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir but later postponed indefinitely.
Zainuddin said the sitting became contentious as it was held without the attendance of the four Undang Luak and Tunku Besar Tampin – collectively regarded under the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 as co-rulers or “Pembesar Memerintah”.
He said the issue is not merely ceremonial but constitutional.
Under Negeri Sembilan’s unique framework rooted in Adat Perpatih, the convening, postponement or dissolution of the assembly must be undertaken in the name of the “Raja Pemerintah” – comprising not only the Yang di-Pertuan Besar but also the Undang Luak and Tunku Besar Tampin.
“The question is whether the April 23 sitting can even be regarded as legally valid,” he said.
“The matter ultimately needs to be determined by the courts because the legality of Tuanku Muhriz’s position itself is now being challenged following the move by the Undang Luak to depose him.”
Political fallout widens
The crisis escalated after former Sungai Ujong Undang Mubarak Dohak and three other Undangs announced Tuanku Muhriz’s removal on April 19. Link:
However, Aminuddin said the state government did not recognise the move, arguing that Mubarak himself had already been lawfully removed from his customary position last year.
In a fresh development, Waris Nan Tua Klana Hulu, together with Ibu Soko-Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and other customary heirs, announced the appointment of a new Undang Luak Sungai Ujong.
In a statement issued today, the adat group said 29-year-old accountant Muhammad Faris Johari had been appointed as Datuk Klana Petra, the 11th Undang Luak Sungai Ujong, during a ceremony at Telaga Undang on April 22.
The ceremony was witnessed by Ibu Soko Waris Negeri, Waris Negeri, Datuk Lembaga Lingkungan, Buapak Lingkungan and government officials.
The appointment was made in accordance with lineage provisions under Clause 27 of the Teromba dan Salasilah Negeri Sungai Ujong 1910 and the principle of patah tumbuh under Clause 5 of the Undang-undang Sungai Ujong.
It was also validated under Clause 48(VI) of the Teromba dan Salasilah Negeri Sungai Ujong 1910 by Datuk Andulika Mandalika Zainol Ariffin Ibrahim, Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat recognised by the Negeri Sembilan government.
The group stressed that the appointment process was conducted according to adat without external interference, in line with Article 14(1) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959.
The development comes amid the ongoing dispute surrounding former Sungai Ujong Undang Mubarak Dohak, whose dismissal had earlier been acknowledged by the state government.
The standoff has since paralysed the state’s political administration.
Last week, all 14 Umno assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin, claiming he had failed to remain neutral in matters involving the state’s adat institution and constitutional monarchy.
Former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun said the constitutional principles governing the crisis are clear once a Menteri Besar is deemed to have lost majority support.
“A Menteri Besar who has lost the confidence of the assembly has two options – seek dissolution of the assembly or resign together with the executive council,” he said.
“If the ruler refuses dissolution, then the Menteri Besar must resign.”
Azhar, a lawyer and former Election Commission chairman, pointed to the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis involving Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, where the Federal Court ruled that the Sultan could dismiss a Menteri Besar who refused to resign after losing majority support and being denied dissolution.
He said rulers possess a “negative discretionary power” – namely, the authority to refuse dissolution requests.
However, Azhar said determining whether Aminuddin has genuinely lost majority support remains unresolved.
“There are claims by the 14 assemblymen, but the ruler may still need to independently verify the actual support,” he said, pointing to precedents such as the 2009 Perak crisis and the Sheraton Move in February 2020, where rulers interviewed elected representatives.
Divisions within Umno
The uncertainty has been compounded by conflicting positions within Umno.
While Negeri Sembilan Umno chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the party would rather become the opposition than continue governing with PH, reports suggest many assemblymen may not share that position.
Malaysiakini reported that 12 of the 14 Umno assemblymen had privately indicated support for remaining in the unity government during a meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last week.
They were said to be open to continued cooperation with PH, provided Umno representatives were included in the state executive council as a “check and balance” mechanism.
The report also said Jalaluddin did not attend the meeting, nor did Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is also the Rantau assemblyman.
Analysts weigh possible outcomes
Analysts say the contradictions reflect deeper divisions within Umno over how far the party should push the crisis.
Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Professor Dr Azmi Hassan said the dispute appears less about toppling the unity government and more about replacing Aminuddin.
“Based on statements by Jalaluddin and Zahid, the issue centres on loss of confidence in the Menteri Besar rather than changing the government entirely,” he said.
He said Negeri Sembilan Umno was positioning itself as defending the state constitution and Adat Perpatih rather than pursuing power.
Still, he said the deadlock could force a compromise.
“Pakatan Harapan wants Aminuddin to remain, while Umno wants him replaced. The middle ground may involve appointing another Menteri Besar from PH,” he said.
Professor James Chin of Monash University Malaysia said the constitutional route remains clear – the assembly must sit and Aminuddin’s support must be tested.
“The cleanest option is for the assembly to convene and for a motion of no confidence to be tabled,” he said.
“If Aminuddin loses on the floor, convention dictates that he resigns.”
Chin dismissed speculation that Umno was trying to force an automatic dissolution by allowing the six-month deadline to lapse.
“I do not think Umno wants a state election while the party appears divided,” he said.
He added that the role of the Negeri Sembilan ruler remains central to any outcome.
“As long as the ruler supports the current Menteri Besar, it is extremely difficult to replace him,” he said.
The pressure for an assembly sitting has intensified.
Pas Negeri Sembilan has called for an immediate sitting to allow open debate on the crisis, while Angkatan Muda Keadilan Negeri Sembilan has accused Umno of attempting to destabilise the government through “backdoor” tactics by pushing for a special sitting and a vote of no confidence.
Federal leaders seek to calm tensions
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged all parties to respect constitutional processes and royal institutions.
He said claims regarding Aminuddin’s majority support should be determined through proper legal and constitutional procedures, while reiterating that Tuanku Muhriz had instructed the Menteri Besar to continue administering the state for now.
Zahid has also sought to calm the situation, saying the crisis is “close to being resolved” through negotiations between Umno and PH leadership.
He said the withdrawal of support by the 14 Umno assemblymen was directed specifically at Aminuddin rather than the unity government, and stressed that Umno was not demanding the Menteri Besar post.
In a significant development, the DAP central executive committee has instructed its nationwide machinery to prepare for the possibility of snap state elections in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor should the respective state assemblies be dissolved in the near future.
The decision was made during the party’s monthly meeting amid growing uncertainty surrounding the Negeri Sembilan political crisis.
In a statement issued by secretary-general Anthony Loke early today, DAP reaffirmed its full support for Aminuddin and stressed that the party would not agree to any proposal to replace him following what it described as a failed attempt to topple the existing unity government.
The party also reiterated its respect for the constitutional monarchy and Adat Perpatih traditions in Negeri Sembilan, while expressing support for Tuanku Muhriz’s decree for the state administration to continue functioning under Aminuddin’s leadership.
The directive is expected to intensify speculation that political parties are preparing for a broader electoral realignment should the crisis deteriorate further.
‘Silence sends a message’
Veteran politician Datuk Dr Ibrahim Ali warned that the crisis has evolved into a broader test of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s authority and the durability of the federal unity government.
“The main dilemma now is not whether Aminuddin can survive, but whether Zahid still controls Umno while facing pressure from his own grassroots leaders,” he said.
He said the crisis exposed the fragile interdependence between PH and Umno at both state and federal levels.
Ibrahim also suggested that Mohamad Hasan’s silence carried political significance.
“In Umno, sometimes silence itself sends a powerful message,” he said.
Main image: The opening of the Negeri Sembilan state assembly on April 23, 2026. Image: Negeri Sembilan Information Department.
