Reference: PN.PRO.100-3/6/4 Jld.2 (105)
Prime Minister’s Department
Attorney General’s Chambers
MEDIA STATEMENT
ISSUE CONCERNING THE MEDIA STATEMENT OF THE NEGERI SEMBILAN STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The Attorney General’s Chambers takes note of the document “Media Statement of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council: Decision of the State Executive Council, Negeri Sembilan No. 6 of 2026 (15 September 2026)”. First, the Chambers is of the view that the Menteri Besar and the State Executive Council have no unilateral power to terminate or vacate the office of Yang di-Pertuan Besar. The validity and effect of the Proclamation must be determined through lawful constitutional and legal processes, in accordance with the law, in particular the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS 1959).
The Chambers has given a preliminary view that the Proclamation dated 19 April 2026 is invalid because it does not comply with the mandatory requirements of Article 10 of UUTKNS. In particular, there is no evidence that any of the disqualifying factors set out in Article 10(1) applies to DYMM Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir. Although the Dato’ Undangs clearly have the power to take action to remove DYMM the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan from the throne, Article 10 also sets out the procedure and the grounds that must be considered before the Dato’ Undangs can make such a decision. To date, there are no facts showing that this procedure has been followed.
A further issue arises because some of the Dato’ Undangs who signed the Proclamation no longer lawfully hold office, having been removed by the Adat of their respective Luak. The legitimacy of several of the Undangs who signed the Proclamation is disputed because their removal was carried out through the Adat of their respective Luak. The composition of the Undang Yang Empat <sup>1</sup> was therefore incomplete at the material time.
The Chambers respects the position of the Dato’ Undangs of Negeri Sembilan and accepts that the appointment and removal of each of them is governed by the customary rules of their respective Luak. At the same time, the Chambers notes that UUTKNS 1959 also establishes the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU). Under Article 16 of UUTKNS 1959, questions of Malay custom, including the election, appointment, resignation and removal of an Undang, and any matter referred by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, fall within the jurisdiction of the DKU. Under Article 16(3) of UUTKNS 1959, the DKU’s advice on such questions is final and cannot be challenged or questioned in any court on any ground.
Accordingly, the media statement or announcement by members of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council is considered to have no legal effect, since they have no jurisdiction, authority or power under UUTKNS 1959 to make that announcement. There is also no legal basis for members of the State Executive Council to rely on the Proclamation dated 19 April 2026 for their announcement. On this basis, gazetting or any other act to implement the Proclamation would be invalid because it is unconstitutional.
The Chambers further notes that this matter is currently before the High Court of Malaya in Seremban, and that an interlocutory injunction remains in force. The Chambers therefore calls on all parties to respect the court process and allow it to be resolved in an orderly manner.
Attorney General’s Chambers
17 September 2026
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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.
