SEREMBAN: The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, will skip the upcoming Conference of Rulers to focus on state affairs, specifically the proclamation ceremony of the Undang of Jelebu.
In a statement issued today, Istana Negeri Sembilan Royal Comptroller Datuk Azizi Mohamad Ali clarified that attendance at the Conference of Rulers, scheduled for Oct 13-15, does not require a formal invitation.
“Referring to media reports today stating that Tuanku Muhriz had received an invitation to attend the Conference of Rulers, Istana Negri Sembilan wishes to clarify that no invitation is required to attend the meeting,” Azizi said.
“His Royal Highness also did not receive any letter or invitation from the Sultan of Perak, who will chair the pre-Conference of Rulers meeting,” he added.
Azizi emphasised that Istana Negri Sembilan had not previously issued any statement regarding the matter to any media organisation or party.
The 272nd Meeting of the Conference of Rulers was earlier scheduled to take place in June. It was postponed at the eleventh hour, believed to be linked to the political situation involving the Negri Sembilan state administration.
The crisis in Negeri Sembilan involving the Menteri Besar, executive councillors (Exco), chieftains and Tuanku Muhriz had escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis.
Negri Sembilan operates under an elective royal system as the state’s monarch is chosen by the Undang-Undang Luak. the ruling chiefs of the four major customary territories namely Jelebu, Sungai Ujong, Johol, and Rembau.
In recent months, this structure and the Adat Perpatih were thrown into turmoil when a group involving several Undang had challenged the authority of Tuanku Muhriz.
The disputed undangs had purportedly proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the “new” Yang Dipertuan Besar at a hotel in Melaka in June.
The faction had also attempted to file court applications and issue formal declarations seeking to de-proclaim Tuanku Muhriz as the state’s monarch, alleging constitutional non-compliance and improper interference in customary decisions.
The council representing the state’s traditional hierarchy, the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU), rejected all claims made by the dissenting faction. The DKU, alongside state legal authorities, declared that Tuanku Muhriz remains the lawful Yang di-Pertuan Besar under the state constitution.
