SEREMBAN, Sept 6 — Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Haji Ismail Lasim today reaffirmed his support and loyalty to Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir amid an ongoing dispute over the state’s royal succession.
Ismail said he had taken note of a statement by the Undang Yang Empat – the hereditary chiefs of the four principal districts of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau – and stressed that his priority was to discharge his responsibilities as menteri besar in the interests of the people and the state.
“I take note of the statement by Their Highnesses the Undang Yang Empat dated September 5, 2026.
“Whatever views expressed by Their Highnesses the Undang Yang Empat are their right.
“My focus now is to carry out my responsibilities as Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan in the interests of the people and the state.
“Together with the state government, I express my full support and loyalty to His Royal Highness Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page today.
Ismail’s statement comes after the Undang Yang Empat, Tunku Besar Tampin and Datuk Shahbandar Sungai Ujong claimed that he had signed a proclamation on August 3 to give effect to the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz.
In a joint statement yesterday, they alleged that Tuanku Nadzaruddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar had received Ismail at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson on August 3, where the menteri besar purportedly signed and completed the proclamation.
They claimed the document was made under Article 10(2) of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution and followed a proclamation signed and sealed by the Undang Yang Empat on April 19 declaring the removal of Tuanku Muhriz.
The group urged the proclamation to be enforced immediately, saying this was necessary to uphold the rule of law and the supremacy of the state constitution.
Ismail was sworn in as menteri besar on August 2 before Tuanku Muhriz, a day after Barisan Nasional won the state election.
The dispute began in April when the four Undang purportedly declared the removal of Tuanku Muhriz under Article 10(1)(b) of the state constitution and announced Tunku Nadzaruddin as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar, a move not recognised by the state government.
The matter subsequently went to the High Court in Seremban, which on June 5 barred the six individuals involved from convening or holding Dewan Keadilan dan Undang meetings pending the court proceedings.
The dispute has continued, with competing claims over several traditional posts, including the proclamation of Azrin Khairi as Undang Luak Jelebu on Aug 28, which was opposed by a group of Datuk Lembaga Luak Jelebu.
