Ahmad Zahid says Negeri Sembilan MB’s claim of signing proclamation under duress should be verified by the lawyer present during the signing
KUALA LUMPUR: Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim’s claim that he signed an “instrument of proclamation” under duress and against his will needs to be verified by the lawyer who was present during the signing process, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said this would be the best way to verify the Menteri Besar’s claim.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president, said the party would not interfere and would fully respect the royal institution as well as the undang institution and customs in Negeri Sembilan.
“I think it would be good if the statement is verified by the lawyer himself, if the lawyer was there when the proclamation was signed. And we hear that a press conference may be held in the near future,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the 2026 UMNO General Assembly here today.
Ahmad Zahid said this when commenting on Ismail’s claim that he was forced to sign the instrument of proclamation against his will, before lodging a police report yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid also denied claims that he was present during the signing of the document.
“No, I wasn’t there. He (Ismail) has already denied it,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also dismissed claims that he had received Ismail’s resignation letter.
Earlier, Ismail explained that the instrument of proclamation, which went viral through a media statement last night, had been signed against his will and under duress.
Ismail said he lodged a police report at about 6 pm yesterday to enable the authorities to investigate the matter.