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SHAH ALAM – Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the state government and State Executive Council (Exco) had no authority to choose or remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, stressing that their decision only concerned the state administration’s position on the disputed proclamation.
Ismail said the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was chosen through the role entrusted to the Undang Yang Empat under the Laws of the State of Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS), while matters concerning adat and the institution’s position must be dealt with by institutions with the relevant jurisdiction.
“The state government wishes to emphasise that the claim that the government or the Menteri Besar had removed the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is inaccurate. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is not chosen by the Menteri Besar or the state government.
“The UUTKNS provides a specific role for the Undang Yang Empat in selecting the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, while matters relating to adat and processes affecting the position of the institution must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and through institutions with jurisdiction,” he said at a press conference earlier today.
Ismail said it was therefore incorrect to portray the Menteri Besar or Exco as having unilateral authority to determine who would assume or leave the position.
He stressed that the state government had never claimed to have such authority.
“I take note of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement yesterday, in which he described the actions of myself and the Exco as rude and uncivilised.
“I respect the Prime Minister’s concern for the Royal Institution. However, I am concerned that the reprimand was based on an incomplete understanding of the actual role of the Menteri Besar and Exco in this matter,” he said.
Ismail said Negeri Sembilan’s traditional governance structure differed from those of other states as it involved the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the Undang Yang Empat and the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), as provided for under the UUTKNS.
“That is why any turmoil involving adat and the institutions should not be simplified into a political dispute between the state government and the Palace.
“It is far greater than the interests of any party or individual,” he said.
He said the state government therefore believed that the matter should be resolved based on adat, the UUTKNS and the institutions vested with jurisdiction under the law.
