Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim believes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim may not have received the full picture or complete information surrounding the ongoing dispute involving the state’s royal institution.
Ismail said this may have led Anwar to describe the actions of the Menteri Besar and state executive councillors as “rude” and “uncivilised” over their handling of the issue.
Speaking at a press conference in Seremban today, Ismail stressed that he and the state executive council (Exco) had never made any decision to remove or appoint the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
Instead, he said the State Executive Council (MMKN) had only discussed the state administration’s position on a proclamation presented as a decision by the Undang Yang Empat, as well as the administrative steps that followed.
“I respect the Prime Minister’s concern for the state’s royal institution. However, I am concerned that the criticism was based on an incomplete picture of the actual role played by the Menteri Besar and Exco in this matter,” he said.
“MMKN’s agreement on follow-up administrative action does not mean it has taken over the authority of the Undang Yang Empat or become the party deciding on the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.”
Ismail’s remarks came a day after Anwar strongly criticised the actions of the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar and Exco, questioning their mandate to challenge the position of the state ruler and describing the move as “rude” and “uncivilised”.
Ismail also reiterated that he and the Exco would not interfere in investigations, customary considerations or the selection process falling within the jurisdiction of the relevant parties under the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959.
He said questions concerning the validity of the proclamation, compliance with the required procedures and its constitutional implications should be determined according to the state constitution and relevant legal proce
