What Happened at the Dewan Undangan Negeri Opening on April 23?
Did the Undang Attend the State Assembly Opening?
On 23 April 2026, Tuanku Muhriz opened the first sitting of the fourth session of the 15th Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly at Wisma Negeri, Seremban, as scheduled.
All four Undang — Mubarak Dohak (Sungei Ujong), Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Muhammed Abdullah (Johol), and Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau) — were absent. Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman also did not attend, having issued a joint statement with the Undang the previous night advising the ceremony be postponed.
This was the first such absence since Tuanku Muhriz ascended the throne in 2008 — breaking an unbroken 17-year tradition. Under the state’s Adat Perpatih system, the Four Undangs and the Tunku Besar Tampin are key figures who are customarily present at official state ceremonies.
What Did Tuanku Muhriz Say in His Royal Address?
Tuanku Muhriz addressed both the crisis and the absence directly:
“The absence of state dignitaries who would normally be present at the official opening did not affect the validity or smooth running of the sitting.”
He called for calm, restraint, and strict adherence to the law: “Do not, under any circumstances, make decisions or take actions influenced solely by emotion or personal inclination.” The State Assembly Speaker confirmed the proceedings met all required conditions and were conducted in accordance with procedure.
Sources:
On the boycott and empty seats: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/04/23/four-undangs-skip-negeri-sembilan-assembly-opening-as-royal-row-lingers/217334
On Tuanku Muhriz’s royal address: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/23/negeri-sembilans-administration-must-proceed-as-usual-says-tuanku-muhriz
On the assembly proceeding as valid: https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/keep-calm-law-tuanku-muhriz-044524255.html
On the Undang’s joint boycott statement: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/04/23/four-undang-to-skip-ceremony
MB’s Instagram post on the opening: https://www.instagram.com/dsaminuddinharun/