State govt has no power to unilaterally remove Negri ruler, says Ismail

State govt has no power to unilaterally remove Negri ruler, says Ismail

SEREMBAN: The power to decide who ascends or leaves the Negri Sembilan throne does not rest with the state government, says Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim.

He said neither he nor the state executive council (exco) had claimed such authority, stressing that the state’s unique monarchy is governed by the state constitution and Adat Perpatih.

“The Negri Sembilan government does not have the power to unilaterally remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar,” he said in response to criticism from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who on Wednesday described the actions of Ismail and the exco as insolent and uncivilised.

Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, Ismail said he respected the Prime Minister’s concern for the royal institution but said the criticism did not fully reflect the actual role of the Mentri Besar and the exco.

He said the claim that the government or Mentri Besar had “removed” the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was inaccurate.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Besar was not chosen by the Mentri Besar or the state government.

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“The state constitution gives a specific role to the Undang Yang Empat in the selection of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, while matters of custom and any process affecting the position of the institution must be carried out under the state constitution and through the institutions that have jurisdiction.

“The exco had only discussed the administration’s position on a proclamation presented as a decision by the four Undang.

“The council’s agreement on follow-up administrative action does not mean it has taken over the powers of the Undang or become the party deciding on the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar,” he said.

He said questions over the validity of the proclamation, whether the proper procedure was followed and its effect should be determined under the state constitution and relevant legal processes.

“We respect any court order in force,” he said.

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The crisis began on April 19, when Datuk Mubarak Dohak, who claims to be the Undang of Sungei Ujong, read out a proclamation purportedly signed by the four Undang removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir from the throne.

Ismail’s predecessor Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun rejected the proclamation the following day.