What happened last week
5 October 2026, Mon: The five signatories issued an 11-page reply to the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) statement of 4 October. They said the DKU’s statement was self-contradictory, unsupported by evidence or by any provision of law. They argued that Article 10 calls for an enquiry by the Undangs themselves, and that the DKU sitting of 31 July was invalid because, in their view, it lacked a quorum. The statement also said the proviso to Article 10(2) refers to “the Menteri Besar” as an office, so that Ismail Lasim’s signature on 3 August completed the proclamation Aminuddin Harun had declined to sign on 20 April (Malaysiakini, 5 October 2026, The Star, 5 October 2026, Malay Mail, 5 October 2026). These claims are the signatories’ own.
5 October 2026, Mon: Former UMNO information chief Shahril Hamdan, speaking on the Keluar Sekejap (Stepping Out for a Moment) podcast, questioned whether a proclamation dated 19 April could be valid when the Menteri Besar signed it months later, likening the process to backdating. He said he was unsure of the legal position, and suggested that anyone seeking a removal should start a fresh process (Free Malaysia Today, 5 October 2026).
6 October 2026, Tues: Lawyers for the five signatories replied that the office of Menteri Besar is a continuing institution, separate from the person who holds it. Constitutional powers and duties attach to the office, they said, so whoever lawfully holds it may sign official documents on its behalf, and the Menteri Besar’s signature formed part of completing the removal. The Attorney General’s Chambers and the DKU have both said the 16 September EXCO statement endorsing the proclamation has no legal effect (Free Malaysia Today, 6 October 2026). The withdrawal was explained on the basis that the application had become academic, since the Menteri Besar has acknowledged signing the proclamation on 3 August (Kosmo, 7 October 2026).
7 October 2026, Wed: Mubarak, Maarof, Abdul Rahim and Muhammed Abdullah withdrew their application for leave for judicial review at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. The application, filed on 17 July, had sought an order compelling the Menteri Besar to sign their proclamation within seven days (Malay Mail, 10 August 2026).
At case management before Judge Norliza Othman, their counsel, Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, said he had been instructed not to proceed. The court ordered that the same application may not be filed again, and ordered the four to pay RM10,000 in costs to each of the four proposed interveners, the DKU, its secretary, and the Undangs of Luak Sungei Ujong and Luak Rembau, Muhammad Faris Johari and Hassan Ab Hamid, making RM40,000 in total. The Attorney General’s Chambers, for the Menteri Besar and the state government, agreed to the withdrawal (Malay Mail, 7 October 2026, Free Malaysia Today, 7 October 2026).
Steven Thiru, for the DKU and its secretary, said the four had not disclosed the pending Seremban proceedings when they filed in Kuala Lumpur on 17 July, and called it “a clear case of forum shopping, as well as suppression of material facts” (Malay Mail, 7 October 2026). No court has ruled on the validity of the 19 April declaration.
7 October 2026, Wed: The ten former EXCO members announced that they had filed an originating summons at the Seremban High Court on 5 October. The defendants are the State Secretary, Mohd Zafir Ibrahim, and the State Government; the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is not named.
The ten ask the court to declare whether the gazette of 24 September is valid and effective, arguing that a revocation under Article 38(5), read with Articles 40(1), 40(1A) and 40(2), requires the Menteri Besar’s advice. They also seek general, exemplary and aggravated damages and an expedited hearing.
The summons is supported by an affidavit from each of the ten and a further affidavit from Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim (Malay Mail, 7 October 2026, Malaysiakini, 7 October 2026).
Attorney General Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said on 26 September that the revocation was valid under Article 38(5), under which EXCO members other than the Menteri Besar hold office at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (Free Malaysia Today, 26 September 2026).
On 22 September the Attorney General’s Chambers said the EXCO had no power to suspend the State Secretary, now the first defendant (Malay Mail, 23 September 2026).
8 October 2026, Thurs: Ismail Lasim said the State Legislative Assembly, earlier scheduled to open on 16 October, would open on 26 November, with the 2027 state budget tabled the following day and debated over four days from 30 November. He said the budget could be tabled without an EXCO endorsement, that department heads would keep their portfolios running, and that new EXCO members would be appointed “in due course”, adding that “the exco can wait for now” (The Star, 8 October 2026, Malaysiakini, 8 October 2026).
He said the sitting would be opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar without naming him, and when asked who would open it, replied: “We will cross the bridge when we get there.” He also said his relationship with State Secretary Mohd Zafir Ibrahim remained good, and on the former EXCO members’ suit, in which Mohd Zafir is the first defendant and Ismail has filed a supporting affidavit, said the court was the best avenue to interpret the law (The Star, 9 October 2026).
The same day he handed appointment letters to 407 village development and security committee chairmen and secretaries. Article 38(2) gives the Menteri Besar the role of advising on the appointment of EXCO members, and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar asked him for a new list on 20 September. No list has been reported.
10 October 2026, Sat: Free Malaysia Today reported that Ismail Lasim might face a no-confidence motion, tabled by Jalaluddin Alias, subject to approval from the party’s central leadership (Free Malaysia Today, 10 October 2026). The same day, Jalaluddin Alias, chairman of the UMNO Negeri Sembilan liaison body, denied that the party planned to table such a motion or that he would propose it (Free Malaysia Today, 10 October 2026, Utusan Malaysia, 10 October 2026). Under Article 38(4), a Menteri Besar who ceases to command the confidence of a majority of the Assembly must tender the resignation of the EXCO unless, at his request, the Ruler dissolves the Assembly. The Speaker said on 14 September that no motion had been received (Malay Mail, 14 September 2026).
Commentary worth reading
This has gone on long enough – It is time for the law to act: Vinod Sekhar, publisher of The Vibes, argued that the dispute had gone on long enough and that the authorities should investigate and, if the evidence supports it, charge those responsible. He set out section 121B of the Penal Code and section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948 as the provisions in question, and stated that he was not declaring anyone guilty.
The column sets the attempt to remove Tuanku Muhriz against his recent public remarks. In January, Tuanku Muhriz described corruption as the enemy of justice, trust and the nation’s future, and expressed disbelief that Malaysians could continue to support people convicted of serious corruption offences. In April he reminded office-holders in Negeri Sembilan that their decisions must rest on facts, established rules and law, and not on personal desire. “Those are not the words of a ceremonial Ruler content merely to cut ribbons,” Vinod writes, before turning to the attempt to remove him.
Vinod asks who benefits from removing a Ruler who has become more vocal against corruption, why it became so urgent, and what political, personal or financial interests lie behind it. He also notes that the Ruler of Negeri Sembilan is expected to be in line for election as Yang di-Pertuan Agong under the rotation in about seven years (The Vibes, 5 October 2026).
What we are watching for
14 to 15 October 2026, Wed to Thurs: The Conference of Rulers holds its 273rd meeting, preceded by a pre-council meeting on 13 October, according to the Conference’s published calendar (Majlis Raja-Raja, October 2026). The Conference’s website still lists Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, among the Rulers who sit on the Conference (Majlis Raja-Raja).
19 October 2026, Mon: The Court of Appeal holds case management in the appeal by Mubarak and five others against the High Court’s grant of leave to the DKU and its secretary to begin contempt proceedings over an alleged breach of the 5 June injunction (Malay Mail, 7 September 2026).
27 October 2026, Tues: Rais Yatim’s case under section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 returns for mention at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court, where he has pleaded not guilty (Malay Mail, 25 September 2026).
26 November 2026, Thurs: The State Legislative Assembly is due to open, with the 2027 budget tabled on 27 November. The sitting had earlier been scheduled to open on 16 October (The Star, 8 October 2026, Utusan Malaysia, 10 October 2026).
Whether the police and the Attorney General’s Chambers act on the DKU’s 4 October request to investigate the signatories of the 30 September letters for possible offences under the Penal Code.
When the Seremban High Court fixes a first date in the former EXCO members’ originating summons.
New posts written by this publication last week
Joint “Undang Yang Empat” and Tunku Besar Tampin Media Statement, 5 October 2026 - A full English translation of the 11 page media statement released by the “Undang Yang Empat” and the Tunku Besar Tampin.
Sources:
Sacking of Negeri Sembilan exco members valid, says AG (Free Malaysia Today, 26 September 2026)
DKU rejects claim Tuanku Muhriz has ceased to be Negeri Sembilan ruler (Malay Mail, 5 October 2026)
Shahril questions backdated proclamation signed by Ismail (Free Malaysia Today, 5 October 2026)
This has gone on long enough: It is time for the law to act (The Vibes, 5 October 2026)
Isu Tuanku Muhriz: Tiga Undang tarik balik semakan kehakiman (Kosmo, 7 October 2026)
Negri Sembilan to proceed with 2027 Budget tabling despite Exco vacancies (The Star, 8 October 2026)
Negri state Budget set to proceed despite exco vacancies (The Star, 9 October 2026)
Negeri Sembilan MB to face no-confidence vote? (Free Malaysia Today, 10 October 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.
