Umno trio deny meeting rebel chieftains with N Sembilan MB, Zahid questions ‘forced to sign’ claim

 

Three Umno top leaders have denied accompanying Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim to meet the state's disputed territorial chieftains last month.

This is amid intense speculation that Umno's top leadership have decided to back the chieftains in deposing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as state ruler to make way for a rival claimant to the throne - Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar.

This followed The Straits Times' report that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, and information chief Azalina Othman Said were present at the meeting where Ismail (above) claimed he was forced to sign a document affirming the chieftains' decision to remove Tuanku Muhriz.

Met on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly yesterday, all three denied being present when Ismail met the chieftains.

Asyraf said that, as a national leader, he does not get involved in state affairs, while Azalina flat-out denied it.

Who 'forced' Ismail?

Meanwhile, Zahid said Umno should keep its hands clean.

"As best as possible, we should not dirty our hands to deal with the situation in Negeri Sembilan," he said, adding that Umno respects the state monarchy, customs, and chieftains.

Curiously, however, Zahid (above) 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.

"Who forced him? He said he was forced; those are his words.

"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.

MB is key

The four rebel chieftains have been clashing with Tuanku Muhriz since April, leading them to exercise their powers under the Negeri Sembilan constitution to depose the ruler and name a replacement.

However, the legitimacy of their move has been disputed as the constitution states that the menteri besar needs to sign off on the proclamation for it to take effect.

Ismail's predecessor, Aminuddin Harun (above), had refused to sign off on the move, leading to the prolonged imbroglio - which is why the undangs needed the current menteri besar's signature.

Ismail is said to have signed the document on Aug 3, one day after he was sworn in as menteri besar before Tuanku Muhriz.

Yesterday, he claimed he signed the document under duress, making it invalid.

He also said he had lodged a police report over the matter on Sept 8.

Ismail has not explained why he met the rebel chieftains in the first place, or why he waited more than a month before lodging a police report. - Mkini