Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan rules Sept 5 document treasonous, Tuanku Muhriz remains Yang di‑Pertuan Besar

SEREMBAN, Sept 14 — The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) has declared that six individuals who signed a document dated September 5 seeking to depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan acted in a manner considered treasonous under adat and law.

The Dewan said four of the signatories did not hold the positions they claimed, had issued unlawful directives to government officers, and attempted to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir without the mandatory investigation required under the state constitution.

It ruled that no government officer should act on instructions based on the September 5 document, and directed the state administration to continue recognising Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar. The Dewan also instructed its secretary to lodge a police report against the six individuals, noting that four of them had signed the September 5, 2026 document without holding the offices they purported to represent.

The Dewan further expressed concern over a proposal to form a reconciliation committee under the state government, saying matters of adat fall solely under its jurisdiction as provided for in Article XVI of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution. It said it would seek clarification from the government on the committee’s terms of reference.

In its statement, the Dewan reaffirmed its July 31 decision that the proclamation dated April 19 was unconstitutional, as three of the four signatories were not recognised Undang at the time. It stressed that no investigation had ever been carried out, as required under Article X(1), and that Tuanku Muhriz had never been given notice or the opportunity to be heard.

The Dewan noted that the then menteri besar had refused to endorse the proclamation on April 20, rendering it void. It added that a subsequent attempt by a new menteri besar to sign the same proclamation did not revive it, as the function under Article X(2) had already been discharged.

It said announcements made on September 5 and September 8 had no effect, as they relied entirely on the flawed April 19 proclamation and a subsequent instrument dated August 3, which did not add legitimacy.

The Dewan emphasised that Tuanku Muhriz remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar and president of the Dewan, and that no vacancy exists. It also clarified the current holders of Undang positions: Datuk Klana Petra Muhammad Faris Johari (Sungei Ujong), Datuk Sedia Raja Haji Hassan Ab Hamid (Rembau), and Datuk Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan Datuk Haji Muhammed Abdullah (Johol). The posts of Undang Luak Jelebu and Datuk Shahbandar Sungei Ujong remain vacant.

The Dewan concluded by urging all parties not to spread baseless claims about the institutions of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Undang, stressing that these adat institutions are a trust held for the people and heirs, not the property of any party or individual.