# Royal succession dispute rocks Negeri Sembilan > A months-long throne dispute divides lawmakers and officials over who has power to remove the state ruler. - Title: Royal succession dispute rocks Negeri Sembilan · Malay Mail - Summary: A months-long throne dispute divides lawmakers and officials over who has power to remove the state ruler. The Negeri Sembilan government is fractured over… - Keywords: negeri sembilan, tuanku muhriz, royal succession, menteri besar, constitutional monarchy, undang yang empat, aminuddin harun, ismail lasim, pakatan harapan, state constitution, throne dispute, news - Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/17/former-negri-sembilan-mb-backs-tuanku-muhriz-as-lawmakers-question-exco-statement-on-royal-succession/235456 - Author: Malay Mail - Published: 2026-09-17T09:00:51+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: negeri sembilan, tuanku muhriz, royal succession, menteri besar, constitutional monarchy, undang yang empat, aminuddin harun, ismail lasim, pakatan harapan, state constitution, throne dispute, news ## Former MB backs the ruler Ex-Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun called on citizens to stand with Tuanku Muhriz and defend constitutional monarchy against leaders who betray the royal institution. > Reject leaders who betray the royal institution and violate the constitution. Our loyalty is only to the king and country. ## Lawmakers question official statement Two Pakatan Harapan assemblymen challenged whether an executive council joint statement represents the state government's official position, noting such announcements usually come from the menteri besar or state secretary. > A joint statement by the exco members only reflects the position of the exco members concerned and should not be regarded as the official position of the state government. ## Conflicting statements create confusion Opposition leader J. Arul Kumar called for immediate clarification over two contradictory statements from the menteri besar and the executive council about Tuanku Muhriz and the royal institution. > If it is true that there are two conflicting statements regarding the same matter, this situation must be clarified immediately by the state government. ## MB says he lacks removal power Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim stated he does not have unilateral power to remove a sitting ruler and invoked the state constitution to support his position. ## Executive council claims removal authority The state executive council asserted that the four territorial chiefs, the Undang Yang Empat, have absolute prerogative to remove the ruler, with the menteri besar's signature completing the proclamation. ## Constitutional court weighs in The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang stated that Article 10 of the state constitution, which allows the four chieftains to remove a ruler, requires a thorough enquiry before any action. ## MB claims he was forced to sign Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim previously claimed he was forced to sign the August 3 proclamation and filed a police report over the matter. ## Months-long throne dispute escalates The conflict over Negeri Sembilan's throne has dragged on for months, with competing interpretations of constitutional authority creating a standoff between state officials. ## Government unity questioned Opposition leader Arul Kumar emphasized that while officials can hold differing views during discussions, the government's position must be unified once a decision is reached. > Exco members could express differing views during discussions but the government's position should be unified once a decision had been reached. ## Key takeaway The Negeri Sembilan government is fractured over whether the menteri besar or the four territorial chiefs can remove the ruler, with conflicting statements creating confusion about the state's official position.