Negeri Sembilan MB Confirms Withdrawal of Letter to Rulers Backing Rival Claimant, Bernama Reports

SEREMBAN, November 14, 2026 – Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has confirmed the withdrawal of a letter sent to the Conference of Rulers that had backed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the “new” Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Bernama reported.

A letter dated November 10, addressed to the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, said the decision was made unanimously with all 10 former executive councillors, The Star reported. Malaysiakini said it had sighted the letter, with an acknowledgement bearing Syed Danial’s signature and an Istana Negara stamp dated November 11. The withdrawal of the September 17 correspondence took into account an October 14 statement by the Malay Rulers and a Seremban High Court order dated June 5 that maintained the status quo of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

“This decision is made to uphold the supremacy of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959, preserve the order of constitutional monarchy, and ensure the continuity of state administration runs in a peaceful and orderly manner,” the letter read, according to The Star.

The Star reported that, on September 17, Ismail confirmed the state executive council had endorsed an April 17 proclamation — signed by one Undang and three other ruling chiefs whose positions were in dispute — to remove Tuanku Muhriz, and then wrote to the Conference of Rulers declaring Tunku Nadzaruddin the “new” Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

“We are of the view that efforts toward a resolution must be carried out with full responsibility, in order to maintain the harmony and stability of Negri Sembilan and prioritise the well-being of the people,” the November 10 letter stated, also restating a commitment to uphold custom (adat).

The Star said Ismail and the 10 former councillors signed the letter. Malaysiakini reported that the withdrawal does not resolve the dispute over their dismissal, which they have challenged in court after Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments in September.

On November 12, Ismail said the palace crisis “will indeed be resolved soon”, that the government was still awaiting Tuanku Muhriz’s consent for an assembly sitting from November 26, when the budget is due, and declined to comment on claims that he had changed his position.

The previous day, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said the impasse would be resolved soon. In remarks translated from Malay, he said the budget sitting could not be held without the ruler’s consent. Fifteen Negeri Sembilan non-governmental organisations said on November 12 they were disappointed with how Ismail had handled the crisis. Secretariat chairman Datuk Omar Osman said, in remarks translated from Malay, that the groups respected his position as Menteri Besar but wanted an explanation before the budget sitting. Ismail said that day he had not yet seen their statement.

On November 11, DAP vice-chairman Syahredzan Johan and three other party leaders urged Umno to apologise to Tuanku Muhriz over an alleged plot to remove him. On November 7, Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias denied plotting to oust Ismail and said a vote of no confidence had not been discussed. “Have you heard me say I want to bring down the menteri besar? No,” he said.

A Malay Mail source said Ismail met Syed Danial earlier this week to submit the withdrawal, and is expected to seek an audience with Tuanku Muhriz to request consent for the sitting. The audience, consent for the November 26 sitting and the following day’s budget, and the sacked councillors’ court challenge remained pending.

Ismail was sworn in by Tuanku Muhriz on August 2, after a state election in which Barisan Nasional won 18 seats, Pakatan Harapan 11 and Perikatan Nasional seven.

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