DKU Reaffirms Tuanku Muhriz as Lawful Yang Dipertuan Besar, Rejects State Exco Removal Decision

SEREMBAN, Sept 17 — The Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) has reiterated that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir remains the lawful Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and chairman of the council.

DKU Secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin affirmed today that there is no vacancy in the position and no successor as long as it remains lawfully occupied. He stated that under Article XVI of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS 1959), all matters concerning Malay custom (adat)—including the selection, appointment, abdication, and removal of the ruler and Undang—fall strictly within the council’s jurisdiction.

Article XVI(3) provides that the council’s determinations on customary matters are final and cannot be challenged or questioned in any court on any grounds. Consequently, the DKU stressed that neither the State Executive Council (Exco) nor the state government holds any legal authority to determine the validity of the proclamation or the status of the ruler.

Addressing the “Decision of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council No. 6 of 2026” dated Sept 16, Raja Norazli declared that any attempt by the Exco to confirm Tuanku Muhriz’s removal or recognise a new ruler is beyond its jurisdiction and directly contradicts the DKU’s determinations.

“As such, it is unconstitutional, invalid and has no legal effect,” Raja Norazli said in an official statement today.

The DKU reiterated that an April 19, 2026 proclamation regarding the matter was defective from the outset, as no required inquiry under Article X(1) of the UUTKNS 1959 was ever conducted. Furthermore, three of the four individuals who signed the document did not hold the office of Undang on the date in question, causing the proclamation to lapse and become void. The council added that the Exco cannot cure these underlying constitutional defects.

Highlighting that the dispute is currently before the High Court in Seremban, the DKU urged all parties to respect active court orders and refrain from interfering with judicial processes. Raja Norazli concluded by emphasizing that Negeri Sembilan’s customary institutions belong neither to political parties nor individuals, but remain a sacred trust for all anak buah and waris.

–NMT