Full Translation
Media statement, Dewan Keadilan dan Undang, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus (dated 14 September 2026, on a special sitting of 13 September 2026)
The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan (“Dewan”) convened a special sitting on 13 September 2026 corresponding to 1 Rabiulakhir 1448H and determined the following matters:
1. The Dewan reaffirms its determination of 31 July 2026
The Proclamation dated 19 April 2026 is invalid in the eyes of the Constitution. Three of the four persons who signed it did not hold the office of Undang according to the custom of their respective Luak on that date.
2. No inquiry was ever conducted
Article 10(1) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS) 1959 provides that the Undangs may only request His Royal Highness to step down or relinquish the office of Yang di-Pertuan Besar after a full and complete inquiry has been conducted. That requirement is mandatory. No such inquiry was ever conducted, none was ever brought before the Dewan, and His Royal Highness was never given notice or an opportunity to be heard. The Proclamation of 19 April 2026 was defective from the outset.
3. The Proclamation that lapsed
On 20 April 2026, the Menteri Besar who then held office refused to sign it under Article 10(2) UUTKNS 1959, on the grounds that the requirements of Article 10 UUTKNS 1959 had not been fulfilled and that one of the persons who signed it was not an Undang. With that refusal, the function of the Menteri Besar under Article 10(2) UUTKNS 1959 had been exercised and, with that, the proclamation lapsed and became void.
4. The defect cannot be cured
No inquiry was conducted in purported compliance with Article 10 UUTKNS 1959. The only thing alleged to have occurred was that a new Menteri Besar signed the same proclamation. That act cures nothing. A new Menteri Besar cannot re-exercise a function that has already been exercised. Otherwise, every change of Menteri Besar would revive the same proclamation and the matter would never come to an end.
5. The announcement of the media statement dated 5 September 2026 and the press conference on 8 September 2026 have no effect whatsoever
It relies entirely on the defective and lapsed Proclamation of 19 April 2026 and on the instrument dated 3 August 2026, which adds nothing to the validity of that proclamation.
6. The position of DYMM Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan remains
No valid process has ever caused His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir to cease holding that office. His Royal Highness remains the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan and President of the Dewan. The Dewan does not recognise any vacancy and does not recognise any other person as holding that office. There can be no successor while the office is lawfully held.
7. A person who does not hold an office cannot exercise the powers of that office
Anything done in the name of an office that is not held has no effect in adat (custom). At present, the Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong is YTM Dato’ Klana Petra Muhammad Faris bin Johari; the Undang of Luak Rembau is YTM Dato’ Sedia Raja Haji Hassan bin Ab Hamid; and the Undang of Luak Johol is YTM Dato’ Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan Dato’ Haji Muhammed bin Abdullah. The offices of Undang of Luak Jelebu and Dato’ Shahbandar Sungei Ujong are vacant.
8. The actions of the six persons who signed the document of 5 September 2026 may be regarded as derhaka (treason/disloyalty)¹
The actions of the six individuals in signing the document dated 5 September 2026 are regarded as derhaka in the eyes of adat (custom) and the law. This is because four of them did not hold the offices concerned, they signed an instrument for the removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar without an inquiry under Article 10(1) UUTKNS 1959, misused the titles of offices and issued invalid directions to government officers.
9. The Dewan decides on the following actions:
a) No Government officer is required to act upon any direction based on that document. The State Government and every State officer shall continue to recognise His Royal Highness as Yang di-Pertuan Besar and deal with His Royal Highness accordingly.
b) The Secretary of the Dewan shall communicate the decision of the Dewan to the Menteri Besar, the State Secretary and the State Legal Adviser, so that the Menteri Besar and the State Government may take the appropriate steps to implement it.
c) The Secretary of the Dewan shall make a police report concerning the actions of those six persons. Four of them did not hold the offices in whose names they signed the document of 5 September 2026. Signing an instrument intended to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar when the requirements of Article 10(1) UUTKNS 1959 had not been fulfilled, using titles of offices that were not held, and issuing directions to State Government officers in the name of authority that was not lawfully held, are all regarded as derhaka in the eyes of adat (custom) and the law. The police report is a complaint to enable an investigation by the authorities.
10. Proposal for a Reconciliation Committee under the State Government
The Dewan records its appreciation for the State Government’s concern for the harmony of the State through this proposal. However, questions of Malay adat (custom) in any part of the State have been assigned to the Dewan by Article 16 UUTKNS 1959. That function cannot be delegated, shared or submitted for reconciliation. The Dewan is of the view that there is no justification for the establishment of such a Committee if the Committee’s jurisdiction extends into questions of adat (custom). Accordingly, the Dewan will request an official clarification from the State Government concerning the terms of reference of that Reconciliation Committee.
11.
The Dewan advises all parties against spreading unfounded allegations concerning the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the institution of the Undang. The adat (customary) institutions of Negeri Sembilan belong to no party or individual. They are a trust held for all subjects and heirs.
That is all.
Secretary
Dewan Keadilan dan Undang
Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus
14 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.
