Negeri sembilan: The Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) today confirmed that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir continues to be the legitimate Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and presides as the chairman of the council.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, DKU secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin emphasized that there is no vacancy in the position and no successor will be appointed as long as it is lawfully occupied. He highlighted that under Article XVI of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS 1959), matters concerning Malay customs including the selection, appointment, abdication, and removal of the Yang Dipertuan Besar and Undang fall within the DKU's jurisdiction.
Raja Norazli further elaborated that Article XVI(3) states the council's advice on such matters is final and cannot be challenged or questioned in any court on any grounds. Consequently, the State Executive Council (Exco) and the state government lack jurisdiction to determine the validity of the proclamation or the position of the Yang Dipertuan Besar.
Referring to the 'Decision of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council No. 6 of 2026' dated September 16, Raja Norazli mentioned that any decision to confirm Tuanku Muhriz's removal, recognize a new Yang Dipertuan Besar, and implement it immediately is beyond the Exco's jurisdiction and contrary to the DKU's decision. He stated, "As such, it is unconstitutional, invalid and has no legal effect."
The DKU also reiterated its position that the April 19, 2026 proclamation was flawed from the beginning, asserting that no inquiry under Article X(1) of the UUTKNS 1959 had been conducted. Raja Norazli pointed out that three of the four individuals who signed the proclamation did not hold the office of Undang on the date in question, and the functions under Article X(2) had been carried out until the proclamation lapsed and became void.
He noted that the Exco could not rectify the alleged defects, and any subsequent proclamation to select a new Yang Dipertuan Besar based on the same grounds would equally be invalid and have no legal effect. Meanwhile, the DKU acknowledged that the matter is currently before the High Court in Seremban and that court orders remain in force. "The council urges all parties to respect the court process and refrain from taking any action that could circumvent or interfere with it," he remarked.
Raja Norazli stated that the Negeri Sembilan customary institutions, including the institutions of the Yang Dipertuan Besar and the Undang, are neither political nor individual possessions, but are a trust for all anak buah and waris. The DKU, therefore, urged all parties to uphold the UUTKNS 1959, respect the council's jurisdiction and determinations, and resolve any dispute through valid constitutional and legal processes.