UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will seek clarification from Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim over his claim that he was coerced into signing a purported declaration seeking the removal of the state Ruler.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly today, Zahid said he intended to meet Ismail during the party convention to establish what had happened.
“I will seek an explanation on what he said,” he said, adding that he could not confirm whether Ismail had signed the purported declaration under duress.
Zahid also firmly denied claims that he was present when the document was allegedly signed, and called on the lawyer who drafted, witnessed and kept the document to publicly explain the circumstances surrounding it.
“It was outside the knowledge of Umno and Barisan Nasional,” he said.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who were also named in initial reports, have likewise denied any involvement.
The controversy surfaced on Aug 8 after former Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad circulated copies of a document purportedly signed by Ismail at Istana Laguna Biru in Port Dickson on Aug 3.
Maarof claimed the document amounted to the formal removal of Tuanku Muhriz, and alleged that the ruling chiefs had appointed Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar in April.
Ismail, however, said on Wednesday that he had been coerced into signing the document.
The Menteri Besar had earlier reaffirmed his allegiance to Tuanku Muhriz on Sept 6, stressing that his administration remained steadfastly loyal to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and focused on governing the state.
Maarof and former Undang of Rembau Abdul Rahim Yasin, who are continuing to challenge their respective removals as customary leaders, have urged the Negeri Sembilan state administration to honour the purported document. - September 10, 2026
