Lawyer questions legitimacy of Negeri Sembilan MB’s appointment

 Rosli Dahlan also says Ismail Lasim’s ‘flip-flop’ exposes him to a possible criminal offence.

Ismail Lasim has lied to the people of Negeri Sembilan and the nation, Rosli Dahlan alleged, citing inconsistencies between his statements and actions. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A senior lawyer has questioned the legitimacy of Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Ismail Lasim’s appointment and cast doubt on the truthfulness of a police report he lodged soon after taking office.

Rosli Dahlan told FMT his conclusions were based on a statement released at a press conference by the undang of Johol, Muhammed Abdullah, and three others claiming to be the chieftains of Sungei Ujong, Jelebu, and Rembau earlier today.

He said that according to the statement, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir was dethroned as the Yang Dipertuan Besar on April 19.

Despite this, he said, on Aug 2, Ismail was sworn in as menteri besar and pledged his allegiance to Tuanku Muhriz.

Rosli noted that on Aug 8, a day after the state’s 10 executive councillors were sworn in, also by Tuanku Muhriz, Ismail lodged a police report claiming he had been coerced into signing the proclamation.

Yet, on Sept 16, he issued another statement confirming that the exco – sacked by Tuanku Muhriz four days later – had affirmed the April proclamation at its meeting the previous day.

Rosli Dahlan.

“This brings into question the legitimacy of the menteri besar and his exco at the time they were sworn in, as the ruler had supposedly been deposed,” Rosli said.

The lawyer argued that Ismail’s “flip-flop” had exposed him as “having lied to the rakyat of Negeri Sembilan and the nation”.

“It also exposes him to an offence of having lodged a false police report,” he said, adding that the contradiction undermines Ismail’s position as menteri besar, since he was sworn in by Tuanku Muhriz.

Rosli further stressed that the chronology of events showed the attempt to dethrone Tuanku Muhriz was “not only legally unconstitutional but also factually flawed as it selectively highlighted certain events while disregarding others”.

“This latest statement by the four undangs is very serious as they continue to confuse the public with inconsistent statements, causing public alarm and undermining the institution of the Malay rulers under the constitution,” he said. - FMT