THE Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) has applied to intervene in a legal challenge involving an alleged declaration to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the state’s Yang Dipertuan Besar.
In its application filed on Aug 6, the council is seeking to be made a party in the judicial review brought by four individuals, who are challenging the alleged declaration.
The DKU and its secretary, Raja Norazli Raja Nordin, are seeking to be added as the third and fourth respondents, and have also asked for a stay of the leave application for the judicial review pending the outcome of their intervention bid.
The council said it needed to be part of the proceedings as Tuanku Muhriz is its chairman, and any decision affecting his position would have direct implications on the DKU’s administration and functions.
The judicial review, filed on July 17, names the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and the state government as the first and second respondents.
In its affidavit, the DKU maintained that the challenge was filed too late, arguing that the alleged declaration was made on March 5.
It said any application for leave to begin judicial review proceedings should have been filed by June 5, in line with the three-month timeframe under Order 53 Rule 3 of the Rules of Court 2012.
The council also said the issue had since become academic after the alleged declaration was revoked on July 31, with the revocation recorded in its statement issued on Aug 1.
It further questioned the standing of the applicants, claiming that three of them no longer hold their respective Undang positions, while another had not been lawfully installed as the Undang of Rembau, as the customary installation ceremony had not been completed.
The DKU also accused the applicants of leaving out important details from their application, including a separate originating summons filed at the Seremban High Court, an interim injunction issued against them on June 5, and committal proceedings over alleged breaches of court orders.
It said the applicants should address the alleged contempt issues before seeking further relief from the court, although an interim stay granted by the Court of Appeal on July 29 remains in force.
The council also disputed the validity of the alleged declaration, saying it was made without the “full and complete investigation” required under Clause 10(1) of the Negri Sembilan Constitution.
It said Tuanku Muhriz was not given notice or an opportunity to respond before the alleged decision was made.
The DKU further maintained that no declaration signed by the Undangs and the Menteri Besar, as required under Clause 10(2) of the state constitution, had been issued.
The application was supported by affidavits affirmed by Raja Norazli.
Two other parties have also filed applications to intervene — Faris Johari, the Undang of Sungei Ujong who replaced Mubarak Dohak, and Hassan Ab Hamid, the newly appointed Undang of Rembau.
The matter was scheduled for case management before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice Norliza Othman, but was adjourned after parties met the judge in chambers.
Lawyer Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz appeared for the four individuals, while David Dinesh Mathew and Shafril Halim represented the DKU and Raja Norazli.
Shaikh Saleem Karim appeared for Faris, while Robert Low and Hafidz Yusoff acted for Hassan.
Senior federal counsel Nurhafizza Azizan, appearing for the Attorney-General’s Chambers, said the judge had asked Khairul to seek instructions from his clients on whether the Kuala Lumpur High Court was the appropriate forum to hear the case, given a similar matter is pending before the Seremban High Court.
She added that the judge dismissed Khairul’s oral application for a gag order, citing the public interest nature of the case.
Parties will return to court on Oct 7 to update the judge on the progress of the matter. – August 10, 2026
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