Follow the law, not politics, on matters concerning royalty, says Anwar

 The prime minister says constitutional process, not political action, must guide any developments involving state institutions.

Anwar Ibrahim, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, at the launch of the PH election machinery in Seremban yesterday. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rebuffed unnamed parties for allegedly working to undermine the Negeri Sembilan royal institution, saying that any changes to the ruler must follow the rules and the state constitution.

He said in Seremban last night that he disagreed with attempts to destabilise the royal institution.

“Imagine what would become of this country. If we, from the people and up to even rulers, become a subject of dispute,” he said.

“I reaffirm that there is no room for choosing to destabilise the existing system. If there is to be any change, it must follow the rules and the constitution.”

Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, was speaking at the launch of the PH election machinery last night.

He said: “For the federal government, any change should follow existing laws and should be done in an orderly manner. I do not decide. There is the attorney-general. We have our legal system.”

He added that he had personally contacted the four undangs in Negeri Sembilan, but maintained that the federal government did not interfere in the crisis, in which three undangs and a former undang had sought to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang Dipertuan Besar, and later proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new ruler, a move declared invalid by the state government.

In the midst of the crisis, all 14 Umno state assemblymen withdrew support for Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun over his handling of the royal dispute. They later returned to stay in the state coalition government but placed Aminuddin under pressure to call for early elections. - FMT