Way out of Negeri Sembilan impasse? MB Ismail Lasim should seek audience with Ruler and Undangs, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim to seek an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and the four Undangs to find a way out of the state’s constitutional crisis.

Zahid, who is also Umno president, said he had asked Ismail to engage the state’s traditional chieftains and seek an amicable solution in accordance with the Negeri Sembilan Constitution and state customs, news outlet Free Malaysia Today reported this afternoon.

“Most importantly, the people must be prioritised. Whatever has happened, has happened. Now, we should look for the best way to resolve the crisis.

“We definitely do not want the situation to worsen and for the people to be victimised by this,” he was quoted as telling reporters at the World Trade Centre here.

Zahid also acknowledged Tuanku Muhriz’s decision to revoke the appointments of the 10 state executive councillors, saying the immediate priority was to ensure the state administration could continue serving the people.

Zahid stressed that he was not seeking to interfere in the state administration but wanted the dispute resolved amicably.

The crisis escalated after the state executive council (exco) issued a statement last week purportedly affirming Tuanku Muhriz’s removal as Yang di-Pertuan Besar, which Ismail endorsed a day later.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers subsequently said the declaration was invalid, stating that neither the menteri besar nor the executive council have the authority to remove the state Ruler.

Tuanku Muhriz then revoked the appointments of all 10 exco members effective September 20, with the palace saying they had breached their oaths of office and pledge of allegiance to the ruler.

The revocation was gazetted on September 24.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Dusuki Mokhtar subsequently said the move was valid under Article XXXVIII(5) of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution.

Ismail has disputed the revocation, asserting that the Ruler could not terminate the exco members without his advice or request and maintaining the validity of the current state government line-up.

The former exco members were subsequently barred from entering their offices, while police are also due to record their statements in connection with the ongoing dispute.