'Overtaken by events' - MB dodges shifting loyalty, 'forced to sign' posers

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim brushed aside questions about his shifting loyalties to the state ruler, as well as his claim that he was forced to sign a document affirming a move by the state's disputed chieftains to dethrone Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Quizzed by Malaysiakini at a press conference today, Ismail (above, centre) responded simply that both issues had been "overtaken by events".

Malaysiakini: Can you give an update on the status of the police report (claiming) that you were forced to sign (the document)?

Ismail: That's an old matter. It has been overtaken by events. No comments.

Malaysiakini: No updates?

Ismail: None.

Malaysiakini: Before this, you pledged fealty to Tuanku Muhriz, but were forced...

Ismail: It has been overtaken by events, as I said just now.

Malaysiakini: Why did you change your position?

Ismail: There was no change in position. It was just overtaken by events. Tak sebut dah (No need to talk about it anymore).

Change or no change?

Previously, on Aug 3, a day after being sworn in as menteri besar, Ismail had met with the disputed Undang Yang Empat faction and rival claimant to the throne Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar.

During that meeting, he signed a document affirming the territorial chieftain's proclamation on April 19 that dethrones Tuanku Muhriz.

When the matter was made public on Sept 6, Ismail distanced himself from the document while pledging loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz.

When the document was revealed on Sept 8, he lodged a police report and the next day issued a statement claiming he was forced to sign the document, while again pledging loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz.

However, on Sept 15, an exco meeting he chaired concluded with a decision to recognise Tunku Nadzaruddin as ruler, after which Ismail has stuck to that change in position.

He is now embroiled in a tense power struggle with Tuanku Muhriz and the ruler's supporters, including the state secretary, who has received backing from Putrajaya.

Not usurping powers

Commenting on the matter today, Ismail said that neither he nor the exco were the ones who sacked Tuanku Muhriz, saying they did not have the authority to do so.

Instead, he said they only stated the state government's position on the proclamation by the undang faction aligned with Tunku Nadzaruddin (below).

He denied that the state cabinet was usurping the powers of the Undang Yang Empat or interfering in customary matters.

The Undang Yang Empat are empowered by the constitution to remove the state ruler, subject to certain conditions, including that a full inquiry is held.

However, whether the undang faction that wants to oust Tuanku Muhriz has fulfilled those conditions is unclear.

Ismail's press statement on current developments is as follows:

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