KUALA LUMPUR, April 28, 2026 – As the constitutional standoff in Negeri Sembilan enters its ninth day, political activist Liyana Marzuki has taken to social media to spotlight Article VII of the state’s constitution, reminding the public of the elevated status of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (YDPB) and the stringent conditions required for any attempt to remove him.
In a post shared early today, Liyana displayed the full text of Article VII, which declares the YDPB as the supreme ruler of Negeri Sembilan. The provision states that the ruler may only be removed by the Undangs (traditional chieftains) in exceptional circumstances, such as insanity, stupidity, or any act that disgraces the religion or the royal institution itself.
The activist’s intervention comes amid a rare royal power struggle that erupted on April 19 when four Undangs – Datuk Mubarak Dohak (Sungai Ujong), Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Datuk Muhammed Abdullah (Johol) and Datuk Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau) – issued a joint declaration deposing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, citing unspecified “misconduct”. They simultaneously named Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
However, the Negeri Sembilan state government has firmly rejected the declaration, arguing it is constitutionally invalid. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun pointed out that one of the four signatories, Datuk Mubarak Dohak, had himself been removed as Undang of Sungai Ujong just two days earlier on April 17 by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (Council of Justice and Chiefs) for alleged breaches of custom and tradition.
Legal experts and constitutional observers have also questioned the move, noting that Article X of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution requires a “full and complete enquiry” by the Undangs before any ruler can be suspended or removed. No such formal inquiry appears to have taken place, and Tuanku Muhriz was not given notice or an opportunity to defend himself.
Despite the controversy, Tuanku Muhriz proceeded to officially open the first meeting of the fourth session of the 15th Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly on April 23. In his royal address, the 78-year-old ruler urged all parties to base their decisions on facts and the rule of law rather than emotion.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the situation as calm and said the matter should be resolved according to Negeri Sembilan’s own laws and customs without federal intervention.
The activist’s post has drawn attention to the unique adat perpatih (customary law) system in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia’s only state where the Malay ruler is elected by the four Undangs rather than following strict hereditary succession. While the Undangs do hold the collective power to appoint and, in theory, remove the YDPB, constitutional safeguards are designed to prevent arbitrary action.
As of today, the state government continues to recognise Tuanku Muhriz as the rightful Yang di-Pertuan Besar, and no further official statements have been issued by the palace or the dissenting Undangs.
The unfolding drama has sparked intense debate across Malaysia about the balance between living customary law and modern constitutional governance in the country’s nine royal states.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments.
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