The dispute surrounding customary law and the royal institution in Negeri Sembilan should be resolved through the state constitution, Adat Perpatih and the institutions with jurisdiction over such matters, Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said.
He said the relevant institutions include the Undang Yang Empat and the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang, with each carrying out its respective functions.
Ismail said the state government’s position was clear: it did not intend to take over the role of customary institutions in determining the dispute.
He urged all parties involved to seek a resolution in a calm, orderly and dignified manner to restore harmony in Negeri Sembilan.
“Whatever final decision is lawfully made by institutions with jurisdiction under customary law and the state constitution will be respected by the state government,” he said at a press conference in Seremban today.
He added that the state government, having been given a mandate by the people, would continue to administer the state, provide services to residents and uphold the rule of law.
“The state government is not seeking a confrontation with the royal institution. Nor does the government want customary law to become a political arena.
“At the same time, the customary and institutional dispute should not be used as a reason to disrupt, intimidate or prevent a legitimate state government from carrying out the mandate entrusted to it by the people,” he said.
Ismail said the state government’s responsibility was to ensure that administration continued to function, public services remained available and the dignity of Negeri Sembilan’s customary and royal institutions was preserved.
He also called for all sides to reflect on the state’s traditional philosophy, “Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat”, which broadly means that customs must be preserved even in the face of great hardship.
“Customs must be defended, the constitution must be upheld, the people’s mandate must be respected and institutions must be preserved,” he said.
Ismail expressed hope that wisdom, consensus and a shared sense of responsibility towards Negeri Sembilan would ultimately prevail over the differences.
The dispute comes amid an ongoing constitutional and customary controversy surrounding the position of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang has maintained that Tuanku Muhriz remains the lawful ruler and that matters involving customary succession fall within its jurisdiction.
The Attorney General’s Chambers has separately said the purported proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz was invalid and that the Menteri Besar and State Executive Council did not have unilateral authority to depose the ruler.
