KUALA LUMPUR: The ongoing dispute surrounding the Negeri Sembilan royal household appears set to enter a new phase, following talks of an alleged proclamation ceremony for a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar scheduled today.
Several reporters have received an invitation to attend a ceremony proclaiming Tunku Nazaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar at the Balai Rasmi Tunku Besar in Tampin at 9.30am.
The invitation, circulated via WhatsApp without any official sign-off, was addressed to the Orang Besar Balai, Tiang Balai, Buapak Yang Enam, Juak-Juak, and Buapak, who serve as leaders of various districts in the state under the local Adat Perpatih customary system.
The latest development in the state’s palace and political crisis comes after Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun last night declared that the state assembly would be dissolved effective tomorrow, paving the way for the 16th state election. Aminuddin said he had obtained consent from the sitting Ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and had adhered to the Negeri Sembilan state constitution.
The controversy began after the former Undang of Sungai Ujong, Datuk Mubarak Dohak, together with three other chieftains, announced on April 19 that they had purportedly deposed Tuanku Muhriz. However, it remains unclear whether a “full and complete enquiry” was conducted in accordance with Article 10(1) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, or on what legal grounds the chieftains sought the Ruler’s removal.
The Undang had then named Tunku Nadzaruddin as their preferred successor.
Shortly afterwards, Aminuddin declared the move invalid, saying Mubarak had been dismissed from his post in May last year over 33 alleged offences. In response, the chieftains called for Aminuddin’s removal as Menteri Besar.
Following the brewing saga, all 14 Umno assemblymen in the state reportedly withdrew their support for Aminuddin.
The latest official to face disciplinary action from the chieftains is Raja Norazli Raja Nordin, who has defended his position as secretary of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) following his indefinite suspension by the state’s ruling chiefs.
Raja Norazli has maintained that his appointment was made directly by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and that he remains duty-bound to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to him by the Ruler.
This follows a move on May 29 by the Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, Undang of Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri, Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Utama Badarudin Abdul Khalid, and Datuk Mubarak Dohak to suspend Raja Norazli indefinitely, citing his failure to carry out an order to convene a special DKU meeting that day.
The meeting was intended to discuss the ongoing royal and adat crisis in the state.
The chieftains claimed the decision to convene the meeting was backed by a majority of the DKU’s eight members. They have also scheduled the council’s next meeting today.