The Negeri Sembilan Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs (Dewan Keadilan dan Undang or DKU) has accused rival claimant to the throne Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar of treason, calling for an investigation and subsequent charge.

It also wants the state's disputed territorial chieftains backing Tunku Nadzaruddin (above) investigated and charged for the same offence.

This marks a direct call for federal intervention by the faction aligned with embattled ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, after the rival group made a similar attempt.

Previously, the Attorney-General's Chambers had issued statements affirming Tuanku Muhriz's position and rejecting his removal as Yang di-Pertuan Besar as flawed.

In a lengthy statement on Sunday, the DKU, without naming Tunku Nadzaruddin, said treason was committed when the latter sent letters to Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar on Sept 30, asking them, among others, not to recognise any gazettes and orders issued under Tuanku Muhriz's name.

This is over the gazetted order where Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of 10 state exco members - who were removed for disloyalty to the ruler.

In the letters, which had leaked on social media, Tunku Nadzaruddin had styled himself as Yang di-Pertuan Besar - a position the DKU disputes. The disputed chieftains backing Tunku Nadzaruddin also signed the letters.

Besides seeking to override Tuanku Muhriz's decisions, the letters also sought the removal of Zafir Ibrahim as state secretary.

"In the DKU's opinion, after careful consideration, issuing these letters was an act of treason and can lead to a crime under the Penal Code," the council said in a statement signed by its secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Negeri Sembilan royal rumble: What's going on?

'No violation of 1898 agreement'

The DKU also disputed an Oct 2 statement issued by the Undang Yang Empat faction led by disputed Sungei Ujong chieftain Mubarak Thahak, listing purported transgressions which justify Tuanku Muhriz's removal as ruler.

Among others, the advisory council on customary affairs disputed the group's claims that Tuanku Muhriz had violated an 1898 agreement between the institution of the Undang Yang Empat and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar by interfering in luak (territorial) matters.

The DKU said the group's arguments were invalid as the 1898 agreement no longer functions as a standalone source of authority, as the state constitution stated such ancient laws are only in effect when they do not clash with the constitution.

One of those overriding laws is that Article 16(1) specifically states that the DKU must advise on customary matters referred to it, including "questions relating to the election or succession to or removal from or vacation of office" of any of the chieftains.

The council also rejected claims that Tuanku Muhriz interfered in the appointment of the undangs for Rembau and Sungai Ujong, stating that such decisions were made by the respective territory.

Regarding the dispute over the appointment of Rembau chieftain Abdul Rahim Yasin specifically, the DKU said that while it acknowledged his appointment during a July 4, 2025 meeting, he was specifically told he only has authority in his territory.

This is because, at the time, he had not performed the necessary installation ceremony to be regarded as one of the state's ruling chieftains.

This ceremony was still not performed by the time Rahim (above, right) joined Mubarak (above, second left) and two others when they pronounced the dethronement of Tuanku Muhriz in April.

Inquiry requirement

The DKU also rejected the Mubarak group's assertion that Article 10 of the state constitution - which gives the undangs power to remove the state ruler - only required an enquiry (questioning) rather than an inquiry (investigation).

The DKU replied by pointing to the jawi text, which specifically said there must be "penyiasatan" (investigation).

The council said that the purported "enquiry" that the undangs held on March 5 does not constitute an investigation, and that there are no minutes, reports, or findings about the meeting that day, nor was Tuanku Muhriz notified that he was being investigated.

The DKU ended its statement by calling on Putrajaya, federal authorities, the governments of any state, as well as Negeri Sembilan civil servants and residents to ignore the letters issued by Tunku Nadzaruddin on Sept 30, as well as the statement by the Mubarak faction on Oct 2.

It then pleaded for authorities to act.

"The DKU respectfully urges authorities, especially the police and the AGC, to take the necessary action to investigate and initiate prosecution over crimes that they (Tunku Nadzaruddin and the Mubarak faction) have committed.

"This is important so that they do not continue to make statements which violate the constitution and laws which will confuse the state administration and the people," it said.