Zahid: Negeri Sembilan royal dispute to be resolved soon, in line with state constitution

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said the dispute involving the Negeri Sembilan royal and the state administration will be resolved soon in accordance with the state constitution. — Picture by Yusof Isa

By Malay Mail

First Published: Sunday, 15 Nov 2026 8:22 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said the dispute involving the Negeri Sembilan royal and the state administration will be resolved soon in accordance with the state constitution.

He said the primary goal is to ensure the state administration runs smoothly for the people’s sake, according to a report by The Star.

“The problems in Negeri Sembilan will be resolved as soon as possible,” he said after attending the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Deepavali open house.

“We will do whatever necessary, provided that the problems faced by the people of Negeri are resolved and that the state administration runs smoothly and operates in accordance with the state constitution.”

The crisis began with a dispute between the four Undang and the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, over who should be the state’s ruler.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim confirmed on September 17 that the state executive council backed an April 17 proclamation to unseat Tuanku Muhriz, which had been signed by one Undang and three other ruling chiefs whose positions were in dispute.

Ismail then sent a formal letter to the Conference of Rulers declaring Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the “new” Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

However, the state government officially withdrew that letter yesterday, reaffirming its commitment to uphold the state constitution and customary traditions.

The retraction took into account a statement issued by the Malay Rulers on October 14 as well as a Seremban High Court order dated June 5, which maintained the status quo regarding Tuanku Muhriz’s position.

Ismail said the decision to retract the letter was made to uphold the supremacy of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 and preserve the order of constitutional monarchy.