Tunku Nadzaruddin, disputed undangs claim gazette on removals invalid

 Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar and the four purported undangs say the gazette contravenes the state constitution and was issued without the state executive council’s approval.

(From left) Disputed chieftains Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Mubarak Dohak (Sungai Ujong), Muhammad Abdullah (Johol) and Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau).

PETALING JAYA:

Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar and the four purported undangs of Negeri Sembilan today claimed that a state government gazette formalising the removal of two undangs and a customary leader, as well as the appointment of their successors, is invalid.

In a joint statement, they also alleged that the gazette was issued without the approval of the state executive council, the state’s legitimate executive authority.

“We affirm that the said gazette is invalid, has no legal effect, is contrary to the Negeri Sembilan constitution and was issued to mislead the public,” they said in a joint statement with the Tunku Besar Tampin.

According to the gazette issued on Oct 23, Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin said Mubarak Dohak’s removal as Sungai Ujong undang took effect on May 13, 2025, while Maarof Mat Rashad’s removal as Jelebu undang took effect on May 31, 2023.

Badarudin Abdul Khalid’s removal as shahbandar of Sungai Ujong took effect on July 30 this year.

The gazette also formalised the appointment of Faris Johari, who replaced Mubarak in Sungai Ujong. He took his oath on June 27 and was recognised by the DKU on July 31.

The gazette likewise proclaimed Hassan Ab Hamid as the undang of Rembau. He took his oath and was recognised on the same dates.

The gazette was issued under a decree by the Yang Dipertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

In their statement, Tunku Nadzaruddin and the four purported undangs disputed Tuanku Muhriz’s authority to direct the gazetting of the decisions, claiming he had been deposed and could no longer discharge the duties of the Yang Dipertuan Besar, effective Sept 15.

They also said Raja Norazli had been removed from his position by Tunku Nadzaruddin on Sept 17.

Negeri Sembilan has been embroiled in a crisis over the position of the state ruler since April when four persons claiming to be undangs, or chieftains, announced the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz as Yang Dipertuan Besar.

The disputed undangs also purportedly proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin as the “new” Yang Dipertuan Besar at a five-star hotel in Melaka in June.

Last month, menteri besar Ismail Lasim endorsed a statement issued by his executive council purportedly affirming Tuanku Muhriz’s removal as Yang Dipertuan Besar.

Tuanku Muhriz subsequently revoked the appointments of the entire state executive council, citing his authority based on the state constitution.

Ismail has put off appointing new state executive council members pending the Federal Court’s ruling on a constitutional challenge regarding the sacking of his 10 former exco members.

The Federal Court has fixed Dec 16 to hear the constitutional challenge. - FMT