Translation:
Letterhead (Jawi): Yang Teramat Mulia (His Most Exalted Highness) Dato’ Undang Yang Empat, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT OF YANG TERAMAT MULIA UNDANG YANG EMPAT AND YANG TERAMAT MULIA TUNKU BESAR TAMPIN
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the master of the Messengers, and upon his family and his companions, all of them.
AL-WATHIQU BILLAH, Yang Teramat Mulia Dato’ Klana Petra Dato’ Mubarak Bin Thahak Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, Yang Teramat Mulia Dato’ Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman Dato’ Maarof Bin Haji Mat Rashad Undang Luak Jelebu, Yang Teramat Mulia Dato’ Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Sitiawan Dato’ Muhammed Bin Haji Abdullah Undang Luak Johol, Yang Teramat Mulia Dato’ Sedia Raja Dato’ Haji Abdul Rahim Bin Haji Yasin Undang Luak Rembau and Yang Teramat Mulia Tunku Syed Razman Bin Syed Idrus Al-Qadri Tunku Besar Tampin:
WHEREAS We affirm that the power to choose and to bring down the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is Our customary prerogative, which is also enshrined in Article 7, Article 10 and Article 11 of the Laws of the Constitution of the State Government of Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS) 1959. The accusation by certain parties that the bringing down from the throne of Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir was carried out by YAB Menteri Besar Dato’ Ismail bin Lasim together with the line-up of members of the State Executive Council (EXCO) is a wicked slander planned for the personal interests of a certain group. The YAB Menteri Besar and EXCO do not have that power at all; on the contrary, they only carry out the constitutional duty of complying with Our decision as YTM Undang Yang Empat under Article 10 UUTKNS 1959, besides preserving Our position as the Governing Ruler (Raja Pemerintah) of this State as enshrined in Article 28 UUTKNS 1959:
Meaning of the Word Raja
28.(1) Subject to Clause (2) under this Article, the word Raja wherever it is written in the Second Part of this Constitution means the Yang Maha Mulia and the Undang Yang Empat and the Tunku Besar Tampin who are there at that time.
WHEREAS let it be remembered that We condemn in the strongest terms every effort by certain parties, openly or in hiding, to try to violate Our prerogative and constitutional rights in this Our State. We wish to remind the YAB Prime Minister and the Attorney General’s Chambers not to interfere in the matters of the governance of Negeri Sembilan, especially Our prerogative under Article 10 and Article 11 UUTKNS 1959, because the YAB Prime Minister and the Attorney General’s Chambers do not have the jurisdiction to do so. Do not, merely because of profit and political influence or bowing to the pressure of certain parties, have the YAB Prime Minister be willing to do anything at all without using reason and conscience, and not even be ashamed to violate the principle of the supremacy of the Constitution. Do not act more spoon than gravy, and the nose not sharp, the cheeks pushing forward (lebih sudu daripada kuah dan hidung tak mancung pipi tersorong-sorong). Such unconstitutional actions, if continued, are a violation of the oath of the Prime Minister under the Sixth Schedule besides a breach of trust towards Article 71 of the Federal Constitution. The said provision reads:
Federal Guarantee towards State Constitutions
71.(1) The Federation shall guarantee the right of the Raja of a State to ascend the throne and to hold, enjoy and exercise the rights and privileges under the constitution for the Raja of that State according to the Constitution of that State; but any dispute about the right to ascend the throne as Raja of any State shall be decided solely by any authority, and solely according to any manner, provided by the Constitution of that State.
WHEREAS We also affirm that all outside parties who have no connection with matters of Malay custom and the governance of this State Government, especially opposition political parties, are not to fish in murky water (menangguk di air keruh) and twist the mandate of the people to the point of issuing ugly comments towards the State Government and the Adat Institution as well as the Government of Negeri Sembilan. The Adat that has been practised has continued for more than 500 years, and surely We as Rulers and Heads of Adat understand better what is happening. Only the jeweller recognises the gem (hanya jauhari mengenal manikam).
WHEREAS We affirm that the action of Tunku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir in directing the announcement to dismiss the line-up of the Negeri Sembilan State Government EXCO is wrong, unconstitutional and has no force. This occurrence has never happened in the modern history of Negeri Sembilan and is very embarrassing to the State Government. It is an action not pure of heart by the former Yang di-Pertuan Besar to sabotage the collective decision of the State Government EXCO, and at the same time an attempt to obstruct the Governing Ruler (Raja Pemerintah) of Negeri Sembilan from carrying out governance, besides inciting the State administration to be disloyal to the lawful Government of the Governing Ruler.
Any decision regarding the position of EXCO according to UUTKNS 1959 must be referred to and carried out on the advice of the YAB Menteri Besar and/or the State Executive Council. In that regard, it is reaffirmed that Tunku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir has already been brought down from the throne according to Article 10(1) and (2) UUTKNS 1959 on 19 April 2026, and the proclamation concerning it has already been perfected with the signature of the YAB Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan on 3 August 2026. The proclamation of bringing down from the throne is perfect according to adat and UUTKNS 1959 without requiring gazettement.
WHEREAS We also advise Tunku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir to engage in self-reflection (bermuhasabah), be humble and accept the reality that he has been brought down from the throne, and therefore to withdraw honourably. We also call on all civil servants of the State not to entertain any pressure from any party, and to comply with the decisions of the State Executive Council, and to swear full loyalty to the Governing Ruler of Negeri Sembilan, namely DYMM Tuanku Nadzaruddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, and the lawful Governing Chiefs (Pembesar Memerintah), in line with Articles 11 and 28 UUTKNS 1959. Realise that executive power is only lawfully exercised in the name of the Governing Ruler in line with Article 35 UUTKNS 1959, not the former Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Executive Power
35.(1) The executive power of this State is subject to the Raja and may be exercised, except as otherwise provided by the Federal Constitution or these Laws of the Constitution, by the Yang Maha Mulia or the State Executive Council or any member of the State Executive Council given power by the State Executive Council, but executive functions may be given to other persons or authorities by law.
(2) All executive power of this State shall be exercised expressly in the name of the Raja.
WHEREAS We call on the people of Negeri Sembilan to remain calm and not be influenced by any provocation and spread of untrue information in the process of the transfer of power that is currently under way. Adat is jointed to law, law is jointed to syarak, syarak is jointed to the Book of Allah (adat bersendi hukum, hukum bersendi syarak, syarak bersendi kitabullah). Let the child die, do not let adat die (biar mati anak, jangan mati adat).
Thus it is decreed (sekian disabdakan).
Recorded on the 22nd day of September, 2026, corresponding to 11 Rabiulakhir 1448H.
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.
