Updated 9 September 2026
For weeks, the visible position had appeared relatively stable. Tuanku Muhriz continued to perform the functions of Yang di-Pertuan Besar, including at the State-level Maulidur Rasul (Berita Harian, 25 August 2026) and National Day celebrations (Bernama, 31 August 2026). The State Government continued to participate in official functions under his reign.
Then came one statement, and the confusion returned.
On 5 September 2026, the group challenging Tuanku Muhriz issued a media statement. This time, it made a specific new claim: Menteri Besar (MB) Ismail Lasim signed the proclamation required by Article 10(2) of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959 to depose Tuanku Muhriz on 3 August.
Translation
Pages 1 and 2, signatories (with seals affixed):
YTM Dato’ Klana Petra, Dato’ Haji Mubarak bin Thahak, Undang Luak Sungei Ujong
YTM Dato’ Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman, Dato’ Maarof bin Haji Mat Rashad, Undang Luak Jelebu
YTM Dato’ Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Sitiawan, Dato’ Muhammed bin Haji Abdullah, Undang Luak Johol
YTM Dato’ Sedia Raja, Dato’ Haji Abdul Rahim bin Haji Yasin, Undang Luak Rembau
YTM Tunku Syed Razman ibni Almarhum Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri, Tunku Besar Tampin
YAM Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Badarudin bin Abd Khalid, Dato’ Shahbandar Sungei Ujong
Page 3:
The lawful Ruling King of Negeri Sembilan under the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS), DYMM Tuanku Nadzaruddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar, together with the Ruling Chiefs of Negeri Sembilan, namely YTM Maarof (Undang Luak Jelebu), YTM Mohammed (Undang Luak Johol), YTM Abdul Rahim (Undang Luak Rembau) and YTM Tunku Syed Razman (Tunku Besar Tampin), together with YAM Badaruddin (Dato’ Shahbandar Sungei Ujong), received the audience of YB Dato’ Ismail bin Lasim on 3 August 2026 at Istana Laguna Biru, Port Dickson, for him to be assented to as Menteri Besar.
At that audience, YAB Dato’ Ismail bin Lasim also signed and completed the instrument of proclamation under Article 10(2) UUTKNS, in accordance with his constitutional duty, before the Ruling King of Negeri Sembilan and the invited guests present, at a brief ceremony that closed with a doa selamat (prayer of well-being).
Page 4:
All four Undang Yang Empat have signed the Proclamation under Article 10(2) UUTKNS, together with affixing their respective seals, on 19 April 2026, to declare the removal from the throne (penurunan takhta) of Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.
The Proclamation signed by the Menteri Besar on 3 August 2026 reads:
“WHEREAS, with reference to the Decree of Declaration of Dismissal (Sabda Pengisytiharan Pemecatan) of Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, made unanimously by the Yang Teramat Mulia Undang Yang Empat under Article 10(1)(b) of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, dated the 19th day of April 2026, which has been duly signed and sealed with the seals affixed thereon;
NOW THEREFORE, in fulfilment of the requirements of Article 10(2) of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, and for the purpose of carrying out that provision, I, as Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, hereby affix my signature as below.”
In order to explain the crisis that has occurred, it is affirmed that the former Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir has never challenged the completeness of his removal from the throne on 19 April 2026 under Article 10(2) UUTKNS in Court.
Page 5:
Further, it must be explained here that the DKU meeting on 31 July 2026 is invalid, because it was convened by the former Yang di-Pertuan Besar, without the attendance of the four Undang confirmed under Article 16(3) UUTKNS in the official record as at 30 July 2026, and without the Tunku Besar Tampin and the Dato’ Shahbandar Sungei Ujong.
Accordingly, the consensus (kemuafakatan) of the four Undang to exercise the prerogative under Article 10(2) UUTKNS on 19 April 2026 to remove Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir is complete under the law of the Constitution.
Further, with the affixing of the signature of the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan on 3 August 2026 to the Proclamation made on 19 April 2026, the four Undang and the Tunku Besar Tampin resolve that this Proclamation must be enforced immediately, in order to preserve the sovereignty of the law (kedaulatan undang-undang) and the supremacy of the Constitution (keluhuran Perlembagaan).
Therefore, the State Secretary of Negeri Sembilan and all members of the administration of the Government of Negeri Sembilan are commanded (disabdakan) to comply with the said proclamation immediately and to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution wholeheartedly (tanpa berbelah bahagi).
That is all (Sekian).
The group claimed that Ismail met Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar and its members at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson, where he added his signature to a proclamation previously signed and sealed by the four purported Undangs on 19 April (Malaysiakini, 6 September 2026).
The signed proclamation was not published with this media release.
There are three immediate problems with the account.
1. Authority: Were the signatories valid Undangs on 3 August?
The first problem comes before the Menteri Besar’s signature.
Article 10(2) requires a proclamation under the hands of the Undangs and the MB. According to the advice of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), three of the four people claiming to exercise those powers did not hold office as Undangs on 3 August.
Mubarak Dohak had ceased to hold office as Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong following his removal according to Luak custom. The DKU subsequently acknowledged that Maarof Mat Rashad had been removed as Undang of Luak Jelebu and advised that Abdul Rahim Yasin’s appointment as Undang of Luak Rembau had never been completed (Malay Mail, 1 August 2026).
Badarudin Abdul Khalid, who joined the 5 September statement as Dato’ Shahbandar Sungei Ujong, had also been removed according to Luak custom with effect from 30 July.
Yet the latest statement continues to use those disputed official titles, with the seals of the four Undangs affixed to the purported proclamation.
That takes the dispute beyond competing interpretations of Article 10. It raises the more basic question of who possessed the authority to exercise the offices whose constitutional powers were supposedly being used.
2. Existence: Does the proclamation exist and has it been produced?
There is another consequence to the latest statement. The more specific the Undang camp becomes, the more of its account can be tested against the documentary record.
The group places Ismail Lasim at Istana Laguna Biru on 3 August and says he signed a proclamation already bearing the four Undang seals. It also reproduces the wording attributed to his signature. Greater specificity should make the account easier to verify.
At the time of the 5 September statement, no signed proclamation had been produced. On 8 September, the “Undang” camp produced a signed statement (see update below), but its authenticity is unverified and contested.
On 6 September, the Menteri Besar responded with a media statement posted on his Facebook page, that has drawn more than 1,000 comments by the time of writing. Curiously, Ismail neither confirmed nor denied signing the document. He described the group’s views as “hak mereka” (their right), before reaffirming the taat setia (loyalty) of himself and the State Government to Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Translation
MEDIA STATEMENT
MENTERI BESAR OF NEGERI SEMBILANI take note of the media statement of the YTM Undang Yang Empat dated 5 September 2026.
Whatever the views of the YTM Undang Yang Empat, that is their right. My focus now is to carry out the trust (amanah) of the office of Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan for the good of the people and the state.
I, together with the State Government, express full support and loyalty (taat setia) to DYMM Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
YAB Dato’ Haji Ismail bin Lasim
Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan
Sunday, 6 September 2026
The statement leaves the alleged signature unresolved, and it sets the Menteri Besar's own position against the group's account. The group says his signature on 3 August made the proclamation enforceable; yet the same Menteri Besar continues, as of that statement, publicly to recognise Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
3. Validity: Would a signed proclamation settle the question?
It must be noted that even if the proclamation is produced and Ismail’s signature is authenticated, questions would remain over the compliance with the Article 10(1) process and whether the proclamation was validly issued under Article 10(2).
Update, 9 September 2026
Since publication, the dispute has moved quickly. What follows sets out the developments through 9 September, in the order they occurred.
The Straits Times reported, citing legal and government sources, that Ismail claims he signed the proclamation under duress. The newspaper said that Ismail filed a police report on 8 September stating that he had been coerced into signing and prevented from leaving the meeting until he did so. It also reports that senior UMNO figures were present at the 3 August meeting (Straits Times, 8 September 2026).
It is worth recalling that UMNO withdrew support from the previous Menteri Besar after he declined to sign the 19 April proclamation, on the stated ground that politicians should not interfere in matters of adat. The reported presence of senior UMNO figures at the 3 August meeting raises an obvious question about where that principle now sits.
Menteri Besar issued a second statement
Later that same day, the Menteri Besar issued a further statement denying the involvement of UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in any effort to remove Tuanku Muhriz, and affirming his support for the party leadership. The statement did not address whether he had signed the 3 August proclamation or ST’s report that he claimed to have signed it under duress.
Translation
MEDIA STATEMENT
MENTERI BESAR OF NEGERI SEMBILANWith reference to the report published by The Straits Times dated 8 September 2026, I wish to deny the allegation of the involvement of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, President of UMNO, in any effort to remove Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
I have always supported the President of UMNO and the entire party leadership, who consistently uphold, defend and preserve the sanctity of the institution of the Malay Rulers and the principle of the Constitutional Ruler (Raja Berperlembagaan).
I hope the issues involving Adat in Negeri Sembilan can be resolved well, with wisdom, and in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the stability, harmony and wellbeing of the people of Negeri Sembilan.
YAB Dato’ Haji Ismail bin Lasim
Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
The purported signed 3 August proclamation
On the night of 8 September, the “Undang” camp produced the document itself, at a press conference fronted by three of the signatories, Maarof Mat Rashad, Muhammed Abdullah and Abdul Rahim Yasin. They displayed a letter they say was signed by the Menteri Besar confirming the proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz, with Maarof stating that all procedures had been fulfilled (The Vibes, 9 September 2026). This publication has not independently verified the document, and the Menteri Besar has filed a police report alleging that any signature was given under duress. These matters are now before the police and, potentially, the courts.
Translation
ARTICLE 10
CONSTITUTION OF NEGERI SEMBILAN 1959
PROCLAMATION OF DISMISSAL
OF DULI YANG MAHA MULIA THE YANG DI-PERTUAN BESAR OF NEGERI SEMBILAN
TUANKU MUHRIZ IBNI ALMARHUM TUANKU MUNAWIR
(SIGNATURE OF THE MENTERI BESAR OF NEGERI SEMBILAN)In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and blessings and peace upon the leader of the Messengers and upon all his family and companions.
WHEREAS, with reference to the Decree of Dismissal (Sabda Pengisytiharan Pemecatan) of Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as Duli Yang Maha Mulia the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, made unanimously by the Yang Teramat Mulia Undang Yang Empat under Article 10(1)(b) of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, dated the 19th day of April 2026, which has been duly signed and sealed with the seals affixed thereon;
NOW THEREFORE, in fulfilment of the requirements of Article 10(2) of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, and for the purpose of carrying out that provision, I, as Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, hereby affix my signature as below.
That is all (Sekian).
[signature]
YAB Dato’ Haji Ismail bin Lasim
Menteri Besar
Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus
Date: 03 AUG 2026
Menteri Besar issued a third statement
On 9 September, the Menteri Besar issued a third statement He stated explicitly that the 3 August proclamation was signed “tanpa rela hati dan secara paksaan” (without free will and under duress), and said the police report was lodged at around 6pm on 8 September.
Translation
MEDIA STATEMENT
MENTERI BESAR OF NEGERI SEMBILANReferring to the issue of the Proclamation Instrument document (”the said Instrument”) that circulated in a media statement on the night of 8 September 2026, I wish to clarify that the said Instrument was signed by me without free will and under duress (paksaan). I lodged a police report at around 6pm on 8 September 2026 to enable an investigation to be carried out by the authorities.
The State Government’s position is that the said Instrument does not fulfil the process and procedure provided under Article 10 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959. It is therefore invalid, unconstitutional, and unenforceable.
Further, the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council Meeting No. 5 of 2026, which sat on 8 September 2026, also discussed, among other things, the establishment of a Reconciliation Committee (Jawatankuasa Pendamai) as a channel to seek a resolution of the adat issue in a harmonious, measured manner grounded in the spirit of muafakat (consensus).
At the same time, the State Government also refers to Article 71 of the Federal Constitution, which provides that the Federation guarantees the rights and position of the Ruler under the Constitution and must take appropriate steps to ensure that the dignity and position of His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan continues to be preserved.
I once again declare my full support and undivided loyalty to His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as the only lawful and sovereign Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
YAB Dato’ Haji Ismail bin Lasim
Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan
What this means
The Menteri Besar's account shifts the live question from whether he signed the 3 August document to the circumstances under which the signature was obtained, a question now before the police.
His own statement adds a constitutional claim of its own: that the document fails Article 10 regardless of the duress question, and that Article 71 of the Federal Constitution obliges the Federation to protect Tuanku Muhriz’s position.
The proposed Reconciliation Committee raises its own question. Advice on matters of Malay custom, including the removal of a Ruling Chief, sits constitutionally with the DKU under Article 16. The Committee was proposed by the State Executive Council, not the DKU. Given the reported presence of senior UMNO figures at the 3 August signing, whether the Committee is intended to work alongside the DKU or to give the State Government a separate channel over adat matters is a separate question.
The institutional position remains unchanged. Tuanku Muhriz continues to function as Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the Menteri Besar and State Government have pledged their loyalty to him, and the Attorney-General's advice that the April removal was unconstitutional still stands.
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Sources:
DKU, secretary seek to intervene in Negeri Sembilan ruler removal case (FMT, 10 August 2026)
Fahami, hayati Rukun Negara dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat (Berita Harian, 25 August 2026)
Anak Nogori is independent commentary on the unfolding constitutional crisis in Negeri Sembilan, where centuries-old Adat Perpatih, royal succession law, and modern political manoeuvring are colliding in ways Malaysia has never seen before. If you find this useful, share it with someone who should be following this, or subscribe to receive the latest articles in your inbox.
