N Sembilan chieftains object to state assembly dissolution, warn of legal implications

Negeri Sembilan's territorial chieftains and customary leaders have formally objected to the dissolution of the state assembly announced by Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun last night.

In a letter sent through their lawyer to the assembly speaker MK Ibrahim Abd Rahman, the chieftains said the decision was made without their permission as the state co-rulers.

They claimed Aminuddin's action had violated the Negeri Sembilan state constitution and urged the speaker to take immediate corrective action.

"Should the dissolution of the state legislative assembly proceed, it would give rise to various legal implications, including questions over the validity of the election results and related matters.

"In light of the above, our clients trust that the speaker will uphold the rule of law and the constitutional principles that safeguard the sovereignty of Negeri Sembilan.

"Accordingly, firm and appropriate corrective measures should be taken without delay," said the letter by legal firm Deidra Sharina & Co.

The firm is representing the Undang Luak (chieftains) of Sungai Ujong, Johol, Jelebu, and Rembau, the tunku besar Tampin, and Sungai Ujong's datuk syahbandar.

The chieftains cited several provisions under the state constitution, including Article 28(1), which stipulates that the term "ruler" in the constitution refers to both the state Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the ruling chiefs "who are available and holding office at the material time".

Malaysiakini has contacted Ibrahim for comment.

Ugly royal dispute

Negeri Sembilan has been embroiled in an ugly royal dispute between the state chieftains and ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

It has led the state co-rulers and customary leaders to "sack" Tuanku Muhriz in April and "replace" him with Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar.

However, the state's executive has refused to recognise the position taken by the chieftains.

The state legislature was eventually dragged into the mess when the chieftains boycotted its opening ceremony on April 23, causing the sitting to be postponed.

Aminuddin, when announcing the assembly dissolution last night, said he had received the consent of Tuanku Muhriz, but sidestepped a question from the media on whether he had consulted the chieftains.

Instead, the menteri besar insisted that he received a "perkenan" (royal consent), which satisfied the legal requirement under the state constitution.

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