Two police reports filed over a disputed Negri Sembilan royal proclamation, as authorities urge respect for the law and ongoing investigation
PETALING JAYA: Two police reports have been lodged by the Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar over a disputed proclamation instrument involving the state’s royal institution, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said police were duty-bound to act once a report was received, but it was too early to comment on the direction or scope of the investigation.
“There are two police reports made by the Menteri Besar. When we receive a report, it becomes our duty to classify the basis and direction of the investigation, including the investigation paper that needs to be opened,” he said.
Saifuddin said this after visiting a student whose MyKad application he had helped expedite last year in Port Dickson today.
The issue concerns a proclamation instrument allegedly linked to an attempt to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuan Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.
Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ismail Lasim had reportedly said he signed the document without consent and under duress.
The Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs had also reportedly said a proclamation dated April 19 was defective and invalid, and that Tuanku Muhriz remained the state’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Saifuddin said he would leave it to the police to determine how the complaints should be handled.
“That is for the wisdom of the Royal Malaysia Police to see how to handle the complaint. It is too early for me to give my comments as it may interfere with the police investigation,” he said.
He said the existence of the reports could be confirmed to the public, but the next course of action would depend on police procedures.
Asked for his advice to those continuing to discuss the issue, Saifuddin urged all parties to respect the law and allow the relevant institutions to carry out their respective roles.
He said the matter involved more than public opinion, as it also concerned the Federal Constitution, existing laws, the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 and customary institutions.
“What better advice is there than to urge all parties to follow the legal path and the rule of law?
“Whether that legal path benefits us or not, it is our responsibility to respect the law and allow the authoritative parties to deal with it.
“Negeri Sembilan is unique. It has customary laws and institutions, including the Ruling Chiefs institution and the Yang di-Pertuan institution.
“All of these are clearly explained in the existing laws. What choice do we have? I say we must continue to respect everything that is explained in the law. That is the best,” he said.
