MB signed document to remove Tuanku Muhriz voluntarily, lawyer claims, recounts timeline

 

A lawyer representing the dismissed undang of Negeri Sembilan, the tunku besar of Tampin, and the datuk shahbandar has alleged that Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim knowingly and willingly signed a proclamation seeking the removal of the state's Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

New Straits Times reported Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz rejecting Ismail’s claim that he signed the proclamation against his will.

"The menteri besar's reason that he signed the proclamation under duress is an afterthought.

"There were no circumstances that occurred that night which could have led to any element of coercion against the menteri besar in making the decision," Khairul reportedly said at a press conference in Seremban today.

He said his clients had gathered at Istana Laguna Biru on Aug 3, where they met Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar, a rival claimant to the throne, for dinner.

According to Khairul, the undang of Jelebu, Johol, and Rembau, together with the Tunku Besar of Tampin, and datuk shahbandar of Sungai Ujong, arrived at about 8pm.

Ismail was said to arrive about two hours later, accompanied by his lawyer Abu Bakar Isa Ramat.

"At that time, an audience was held between Ismail and Tuanku Nadzaruddin, the undang of Jelebu, the undang of Johol, the undang of Rembau, the tunku besar of Tampin, and the datuk shahbandar of Sungai Ujong.

"During the audience, all the undang present, together with the tunku besar of Tampin, gave their blessing for Ismail's appointment as the ninth Negri Sembilan menteri besar and prayed that he and the new state leadership would be able to resolve the crisis involving the state's customary institutions," the lawyer reportedly said.

Khairul said the undang, in the presence of the menteri besar's lawyer, explained to Ismail their decision to dismiss Tuanku Muhriz through a proclamation dated April 19, 2026, pursuant to Article 10(1) of the state constitution.

He claimed Ismail was informed that the instrument of proclamation required the menteri besar's signature under Article 10(1)(b) of the state constitution.

"After the reasons for the dismissal of Tuanku Muhriz were explained, Ismail agreed to sign the proclamation for his dismissal in the presence of his lawyer.

"We maintain that the menteri besar signed the proclamation dated Aug 3, 2026, voluntarily and without coercion, in the presence of his lawyer, who was with him throughout the event," Khairul (below) asserted.

Yesterday, Ismail confirmed that he signed the document affirming the decision by rebel territorial chieftains to remove Tuanku Muhriz, but claimed he did it under duress and confirmed he had lodged a police report on the matter.

This came after the disputed Undang Yang Empat had, on Sept 8, made public the form that he signed.

The document was signed on Aug 3, a day after he took the oath as menteri besar. Ismail said he only lodged a police report on Sept 8 and did not explain why he waited over a month to lodge the complaint.

He also did not reveal why he met the disputed chieftains in the first place. The quartet has been attempting to remove Tuanku Muhriz since April over a power dispute, and has backed Tuanku Nadzaruddin.

Umno leaders: Wasn't us

Amid intense speculation that Umno’s top leadership had also backed the chieftains’ bid to remove Tuanku Muhriz, three senior party leaders denied accompanying Ismail to a meeting with the disputed territorial chieftains last month.

The denials followed a report by The Straits Times that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, and party information chief Azalina Othman Said were present at the meeting, where Ismail claimed he was forced to sign the proclamation document.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly yesterday, all three denied being present when the menteri besar met the chieftains.

Curiously, however, Zahid (above) also questioned Ismail's claim that he was forced to sign the document against Tuanku Muhriz and also implied behind-the-scenes knowledge of the matter.

"I think it would be best if that statement is verified by a lawyer, if that lawyer was present when the signature was penned.

"And we heard that maybe a press conference will be held soon," he said.

Zahid said he also intends to meet Ismail during the Umno assembly to seek clarification regarding the latter’s claim. - Mkini