FMT recaps the key events that took place in the state over the past six months.
The crisis began after four purported undangs (chieftains) announced the alleged removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, though the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) later said three of them were not undangs at the time of the proclamation.
FMT recaps the key events that transpired in Negeri Sembilan over the past six months.
April 19
At a press conference, the four purported undangs announce the alleged removal of Tuanku Muhriz as state ruler. However, they fail to disclose the grounds and evidence for his removal, which is required under the state constitution.
April 20
Then menteri besar Aminuddin Harun rejects the chieftains’ move, saying Mubarak Dohak in particular was already removed as Sungai Ujong undang for contravening customary laws. Mubarak’s removal was affirmed by the DKU, the state’s highest customary council, on April 17.
April 27
Umno withdraws support for Aminuddin for his handling of the crisis, throwing the menteri besar’s administration into limbo. Talk of a change in government fizzles out after Bersatu backs down, preventing Umno from securing a simple majority.
May 5
The four purported chieftains file an originating summons seeking a court order for the state government and DKU to release the minutes of the April 17 DKU meeting where Mubarak’s removal was affirmed.
May 7
Pakatan Harapan and Umno agree on a political ceasefire, as Aminuddin continues to lead the state government.
May 13
The DKU moves to challenge the Seremban High Court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit on the crisis, arguing that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
June 5
The state assembly is dissolved after weeks of political tension. The High Court later grants a temporary injunction preserving the status quo in Negeri Sembilan amid the customary and constitutional crises.
On the same day, Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar is purportedly proclaimed as the “new” Yang Dipertuan Besar by one of the undangs at a five-star hotel in Melaka. Former menteri besar Rais Yatim is among those present, and claims Negeri Sembilan has a new ruler.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says Tuanku Muhriz remains the recognised Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
June 9
The Negeri Sembilan palace says the purported proclamation of the “new” ruler is invalid, and strips Tunku Nadzaruddin of his hereditary Tunku Panglima Besar title.
June 23
A Conference of Rulers meeting is postponed, reportedly over the crisis in Negeri Sembilan, with the rulers preferring that the matter be resolved by the Yang Dipertuan Besar without being dragged to the courts.
June 25
Activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, later the Negeri Sembilan Wawasan chief, claims trial to publishing seditious material related to the Negeri Sembilan royals.
July 8
The DKU obtains leave to begin contempt proceedings against six people, including the four “undangs”, for breaching the interim injunction issued on June 5. This is later temporarily stayed by the Court of Appeal.
July 17
The four “undangs” file a judicial review application seeking a court order compelling Aminuddin to sign the purported proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz. The DKU applies to intervene on Aug 10 to challenge the alleged declaration. Next case management is on Oct 7.
July 30
Tuanku Muhriz strips Rais of his state honours.
Aug 1
The DKU reveals that three of four “undangs” who attempted to depose the ruler on April 19 were not undangs at the time. It said two were already sacked while one was never officially appointed, in reaffirming Tuanku Muhriz’s status as ruler.
Later that night, the BN-PN alliance secures a two-thirds majority in the state election to form the new state government.
Aug 2
Umno’s seven-term assemblyman Ismail Lasim is sworn in as menteri besar before Tuanku Muhriz, which comes as a surprise as he was not one of the frontrunners.
Aug 6
State Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias rubbishes allegations that he aims to oust Ismail as menteri besar and remove Tuanku Muhriz as Yang Dipertuan Besar.
Aug 7
Ten assemblymen from BN and PN are sworn in as Negeri Sembilan exco members, comprising seven from Umno and one each from MCA, PAS and Wawasan.
Sept 5
In a statement, the four “undangs” reveal that Ismail had signed the proclamation seeking to remove Tuanku Muhriz. The following day, the menteri besar sidesteps the claim but declares full loyalty for Tuanku Muhriz.
Sept 8
The “undangs” hold a press conference and produce the purported proclamation signed by the menteri besar.
Sept 9
Ismail claims he signed the document “unwillingly and under coercion”, and maintains that the proclamation is invalid. He also lodges a police report to allow the matter to be probed.
Sept 16
The Negeri Sembilan exco members issue a statement claiming that Tuanku Muhriz’s removal in April was legitimate, and that Tunku Nadzaruddin was, therefore, the new ruler.
Sept 17
Ismail endorses the exco’s statement and orders the state secretary to proceed with gazetting the proclamation. However, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) says the announcement has no legal effect as the menteri besar and exco have no authority to remove the ruler. The DKU also affirm that Tuanku Muhriz remains the rightful ruler.
Sept 18
Citing the AGC’s statement, the state secretary refuses to gazette the proclamation on Tuanku Muhriz’s removal.
Sept 20
Tuanku Muhriz moves to revoke the appointments of the exco members, except Ismail, with immediate effect. The palace says the 10 assemblymen violated their oaths of office and pledge of allegiance before the Yang Dipertuan Besar on Aug 7.
Sept 21
Ismail disputes the sacking of his exco members, arguing that the ruler cannot terminate their tenure unless advised or requested by the menteri besar.
Sept 22
Ismail says the exco has decided to suspend the state secretary and state legal adviser, with two interim replacements announced. However, the AGC says the exco has no authority to do so.
Sept 23
A meeting between the menteri besar, his former exco members and Tunku Nadzaruddin is called off amid heavy police presence. For the state secretary, it’s business as usual.
Sept 24
The 10 sacked exco members are barred from entering their offices following their sackings, but Ismail contends that they remain in their posts. Later that day, the revocation of their appointments is officially gazetted.
Sept 25
Rais claims trial to sedition in connection with the purported proclamation of a new Negeri Sembilan Yang Dipertuan Besar.
Sept 26
Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar affirms the revocation of the 10 exco members, saying the state constitution states that an exco member other than the menteri besar holds their post at the pleasure of the Yang Dipertuan Besar.
A source tells FMT that Bukit Aman will question the 10 former exco members over the crisis. The inspector-general of police confirms this the next day.
Sept 27
Calls grow for Ismail to resign as menteri besar, with the G25 group of prominent retired civil servants citing his frequent changes in stance in handling the crisis.
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi orders Ismail to seek an audience with Tuanku Muhriz and the four undangs to resolve the crisis amicably. Zahid also holds a meeting with all 25 BN and PN assemblymen at Umno’s headquarters at night. - FMT
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