PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has described the reported “removal” of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan as inappropriate, saying no clear misconduct was ever put before the public to justify the move.
Zaid said the central question was not merely whether the undangs have the power to appoint or remove a ruler, but whether that power is exercised fairly and reasonably.
He said the Negeri Sembilan constitution allows for the removal of a ruler in cases of serious misconduct or dereliction of duty.
“But we, the public, have not been told what wrongdoing Tuanku Muhriz supposedly committed. We simply do not know,” he said on the latest episode of his podcast.
“Therefore, even if the four undangs have the constitutional power to remove Tuanku Muhriz, I do not think it is appropriate. It is disproportionate.
“I believe the spirit of the constitutional provisions has been set aside. Even if the power to remove him exists, I do not think it should have been exercised in this manner.”
His remarks come after the four undangs reportedly proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar at a ceremony held at a hotel in Melaka.
It is understood that the proclamation was made by the Jelebu undang, Maarof Mat Rashad, on behalf of the four chieftains.
The four undangs had first announced Tuanku Muhriz’s “dismissal” on April 19. Tuanku Muhriz was installed as the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar at Istana Besar Seri Menanti on Oct 26, 2009, following the death of Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
The Seremban High Court had earlier on the same day issued a temporary injunction restraining the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang from meeting or making decisions, and barring it from removing its secretary, Raja Norazli Raja Nordin.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that Tuanku Muhriz remains the legitimate ruler of Negeri Sembilan, adding that the matter must be resolved through proper channels.
