EVEN the quest to rebut yesterday’s (Sept 8) damning Singapore Straits Times report of the so-called UMNO treachery by newly minted Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lajim is limited to denying party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s role in to removal of Yang di-Pertuan Besar (YDPB) Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
However, the Juasseh state assemblyman did not address whether he inked the alleged proclamation of the state ruler’s abdication during a meeting on Aug 3 which he claimed to have signed it under duress.
“I always support the UMNO president and the entire party leadership who always uphold, defend and preserve the dignity of the institution of the Malay rulers and the principle of the constitutional monarchy,” he asserted in his three-paragraph media statement.
“I hope the issue involving customs in Negeri Sembilan can be resolved well, wisely and in accordance with the law to ensure stability, harmony and well-being of the N9 rakyat.”
Aside from his so-called ‘loyalty pledge’, the statement did not address claims by sources of Singapore’s most-read English daily that UMNO’s top brass, including Zahid who is also the BN chairman, its secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and de-facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said were present at the meeting.
This twist was revealed in a Sept 5 statement by N9’s four traditional chieftains a.k.a. Undang who have the power to elect and remove the state’s ruler.
Ismail responded the next day (Sept 6) that “the four Undang have the right to their opinion” but that he “and the state government express full loyalty to Tunku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar”. He did not confirm or deny whether he signed the proclamation.
Meanwhile, the said proclamation is aimed at removing Tuanku Muhriz from the throne, thereby paving the way for Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar, the son of the previous ruler, to be installed as the 12th N9 Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
This was when legal and government sources told ST that Ismail claimed he was forced to sign the proclamation under duress and that UMNO’s top leadership has been working in concert with the four Undang of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau.
In fact, the 67-year-old who built his early career as a lawyer before transitioning to full-time governance and political roles is further said to have filed a police report yesterday (Sept 8) that he was coerced into signing the document and prevented from leaving the meeting until he did so.
As it is, Ismail has come under fire from both the UMNO grassroots and Madani backers with the Blue Wave proponents lambasting him for “acting like a two-headed snake even when the rakyat has already accorded the mandate”.
“You’ve turned your back on the rakyat’s wishes. You were given a mandate so that customs are upheld, not the other way around,” fumed a presumably UMNO diehard.
“If the majority of the rakyat had wanted Tuanku Muhriz to remain as YDPB, your side would definitely not have won the recent state polls. Do you still not understand or are you pretending not to understand?”
In addition to his police report, the five-term UMNO state assemblyman (three terms Senaling and two terms Juasseh) only need to confirm publicly whether he did sign or not the said proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz.
On the other extreme, the Madani backer faction is rejoicing over the fact that “we now know the one who truly defended the N9 royal institution of and Tuanku Muhriz is Tok Min @dsaminuddin (former Pakatan Harapan MB Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun)”.
“Even when slandered left & right and pressured, he stayed steady by not signing such proclamation, didn’t change his stance, didn’t wear two faces,” jibed keyboard warrior StratCommX (@StratCommX) on X.
Another chastised the BN-PN (Perikatan Nasional) pact for betraying the Malays in the guise of ummah unity political rhetoric
“Their reasons include DAP challenges the palace institution … (Former) MB Aminuddin interferes with adat (customary) affairs …,” berated political affairs observer Rasidi Zainal (@YOEPCD).
“Finally, the intention is to bring down Yamtuan Tunku Mukhriz …. UMNO-BN by winning the N9 state election hasn’t solved the (royalty) problem but has already expanded the problem to something even worse.”
Added Madani keyboard warrior Mr.Nazril (@Nazril_Iznil) who took a pot shot at Ismail:
When the N9 folks continue to be haunted by “(anti-)DAP” sentiments, the reality right before their eyes reveals the opposite.
Yesterday, you took your oath before Tuanku Muhriz. The next day, you signed a proclamation to bring down the ruler who had just witnessed your swearing in.
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