[WATCH] New Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Installed Amid Questions Over DUN Dissolution
A royal installation in Melaka turns into a constitutional flashpoint, with legitimacy of state dissolution now under scrutiny.
- Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar was formally installed as Negeri Sembilan's 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar on Friday.
- Former Mentri Besar Rais Yatim questioned the legality of the DUN dissolution, citing Article 28 of state laws.
- The High Court in Seremban granted an injunction halting a planned DKU special sitting amid ongoing legal challenges.
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Friday turned unexpectedly eventful as Negeri Sembilan’s four Undang, together with the Tunku Besar Tampin, formally installed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
This appointment makes Tunku Nadzaruddin the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, succeeding Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
READ MORE: Can Negeri Sembilan’s Ruler Actually Be ‘Fired’?
The installation ceremony was held at a five-star hotel in Melaka. Present at the venue were Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad and Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri.
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Former Mentri Besar Tan Sri Rais Yatim was also in attendance, while the remaining Undang followed the proceedings live via Zoom, according to The Star.
“The process was carried out according to the state’s adat followed by a royal address.
“We understand there may be some issues but we shall overcome these together,” Rais was quoted as saying by the English daily.
Rais also said the installation of Tunku Nadzaruddin was conducted in accordance with Negeri Sembilan’s adat and constitution.
The development comes after the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly was dissolved earlier in the day following consent from Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, granted by Tuanku Mukhriz Tuanku Munawir the night before.
READ MORE: Political Turmoil Forces Negeri Sembilan Reset As Aminuddin Seeks Fresh Mandate
READ MORE: [WATCH] Four Negeri Sembilan Undang Convene With Tunku Besar Tampin
At the same time, Rais questioned the legality of the DUN dissolution, arguing that Nadzaruddin had already been appointed state ruler by the ruling chiefs on April 19.
“Now, that is a very big question, and I would urge that all legal minds now focus on it,” Rais said.
Rais added that under Article 28 of the state laws, the definition of the ruler includes the Undang, who were not consulted during the dissolution process.
Meanwhile, The High Court in Seremban today granted an ad interim injunction to stop a planned special sitting of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan (DKU) and to prevent any attempt to remove its secretary, Raja Norazli Raja Nordin.
The injunctions were obtained by Raja Norazli and the DKU as part of their legal challenge in court, reported NST.
As a result, the plaintiffs — including former Undang of Luak Sungei Ujong Datuk Mubarak Thahak, the Undang of Luak Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad, the Undang of Luak Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah, the Undang of Luak Rembau Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin, the Tunku Besar of Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri, and the Shahbandar of Sungei Ujong Datuk Seri Badarudin Abdul Khalid – are barred from convening any DKU meetings, including a special sitting that had taken place earlier today.
READ MORE: No End Yet To Negeri Sembilan’s Drama, Another New Sungei Ujong Chief Appointed
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Federal Government only recognises Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
He said the position was based on the law and the Federal Constitution, stressing that any attempt to remove or depose a ruler would have far-reaching implications for the country and national stability.
“I do not deny anyone the right to pursue matters through legal channels and the state constitution, but the arguments must be strong. That is why we view this seriously and I have conveyed this view to the relevant parties.
“We must follow the court process that made its decision earlier, and we have also given our advice, but the declaration was nevertheless proceeded with at the hotel,” Anwar was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
The Negeri Sembilan customary crisis has been ongoing since April, when four Undang, including Datuk Mubarak Thahak of Sungai Ujong, whose position itself has been disputed, announced the dismissal of Tuanku Muhriz and proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar, with immediate effect.
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