MEDIA STATEMENT
DEWAN KEADILAN DAN UNDANG NEGERI SEMBILAN DARUL KHUSUS
The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan (”the Dewan”) refers to its media statement dated 13 September 2026. Since then, two statements have been issued, namely:
(a) the Media Statement of the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan dated 15 September 2026, following State Executive Council Meeting No. 6 of 2026; and
(b) a document titled “Decision of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council No. 6 of 2026” dated 16 September 2026. In connection with this, the Dewan determines the following:
1. The Menteri Besar’s statement dated 15 September 2026 is consistent with the Constitution of the State of Negeri Sembilan (”UUTKNS 1959”)
The Dewan welcomes the statement of YAB Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan dated 15 September 2026, which stresses that the Menteri Besar has no unilateral power to terminate or vacate the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, and that the validity and effect of the Proclamation must be determined through lawful constitutional and legal process, including judicial determination. This position is consistent with UUTKNS 1959 and with the Dewan’s determination.
2. Questions of Adat and the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar fall within the jurisdiction of the Dewan
Under Article 16 of UUTKNS 1959, questions of Malay custom, including the election, appointment, resignation and dismissal of the offices of Yang di-Pertuan Besar and Undang, fall within the jurisdiction of the Dewan. Under Article 16(3) of UUTKNS 1959, the Dewan’s advice on such questions is final and may not be challenged or called into question in any court on any ground. The State Executive Council and the State Government have no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the Proclamation or the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
3. The “Decision of the State Executive Council No. 6” dated 16 September 2026 has no legal effect
Insofar as the document dated 16 September 2026 purports to confirm the removal from the throne of DYMM Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, to recognise the election of a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar, and to direct its immediate implementation, it touches on matters outside the jurisdiction of the State Executive Council and is contrary to the binding determination of the Dewan. It is therefore unconstitutional, invalid and of no effect whatsoever.
4. The Proclamation dated 19 April 2026 remains defective and void
The Dewan reaffirms its determination that the Proclamation dated 19 April 2026 was defective from the outset: no inquiry under Article 10(1) of UUTKNS 1959 was ever carried out; three of the four people who signed it did not hold the office of Undang on that date; and following the refusal of the then Menteri Besar to sign it, the function under Article 10(2) of UUTKNS 1959 had already been discharged, so that the proclamation lapsed and became void. The State Executive Council cannot cure these defects.
5. The proclamation of election under Article 11 of UUTKNS 1959 is also invalid
Any proclamation purporting to elect a new Yang di-Pertuan Besar rests on the same defective foundation and was signed by people who did not lawfully hold the office of Undang. It is likewise invalid and of no legal effect.
6. The prerogative of the Undang Yang Empat must be exercised by lawful Undangs and in accordance with UUTKNS 1959
The prerogative of the Undang Yang Empat referred to in the document dated 16 September 2026 may only be exercised by Undangs lawfully holding office, and in accordance with the conditions and procedures set by the Constitution. Because those conditions and procedures were not met, no valid prerogative of that kind arose.
7. State Government officers are not required to act on the document
As stated by the Dewan on 13 September 2026, no State Government officer is required to act on any instruction based on the document dated 5 September 2026 or the document dated 16 September 2026. Acting on those documents would be contrary to UUTKNS 1959 and to the binding determination of the Dewan.
8. This matter is before the court
The Dewan notes that this matter is the subject of prosiding (proceedings) in the High Court of Malaya at Seremban, and that court orders remain in force. The Dewan calls on all parties to respect the court process and refrain from taking any step that could obstruct or interfere with it.
9. The position of DYMM Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir remains unchanged
The Dewan reaffirms that DYMM Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and Yang di-Pertua (President) of the Dewan. There is no vacancy and no successor for as long as the office is lawfully held.
The customary institutions of Negeri Sembilan, including the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the institution of the Undang, belong to no party or individual, but are an amanah (trust) for all anak buah (clan members) and waris (heirs). The Dewan calls on all parties to uphold UUTKNS 1959, respect the jurisdiction and determinations of the Dewan, and resolve any dispute through lawful constitutional and legal process.
Sekian (That is all).
Secretary
Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus
17 September 2026
If you are new to this Substack and are not sure where to begin, visit our Start Here page, where we list all our articles organised by theme.
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.
