THE opening of the Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly, typically a routine affair, has drawn rare national attention amid an escalating constitutional and customary dispute involving the state’s royal leadership.
The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, is expected to attend and officially open the sitting on Monday, despite an unprecedented move by four Undang — the ruling chiefs empowered to determine the state’s monarch — to remove him from the throne.
Tuanku Muhriz is scheduled to deliver his royal address at 10am at the start of the assembly’s fourth session. Prior to the proceedings, he will receive a royal salute and inspect a guard of honour mounted by personnel from the 14th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.
In keeping with tradition, the Tunku Besar of Tampin will enter the assembly hall first, followed by the Undang of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau.
However, uncertainty surrounds whether the four chiefs and the Tunku Besar will attend, given the intensifying dispute.
A source indicated that invitations for the ceremony had been issued before the controversy erupted on April 17.
“As of today, we have not received any instruction to defer the opening,” the source said, adding that the assembly is scheduled to sit for three days.
The crisis began on Sunday evening when the four Undang, led by Mubarak Dohak, announced their decision to depose Tuanku Muhriz, citing alleged misconduct without providing details. The other chiefs involved are Maarof Mat Rashad of Jelebu, Muhammed Abdullah of Johol and Abdul Rahim Yasin of Rembau.
They further declared Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The move was swiftly challenged by the state government. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun stated that the administration does not recognise the declaration, arguing that Mubarak no longer holds authority as Undang.
According to Aminuddin, Mubarak had been removed on April 17 following alleged breaches of adat, or customary law, after a seat dispute withing the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang, the highest body overseeing the Undang. He said the removal was conducted in accordance with Article 14(3) of the state constitution.
In response, the four Undang issued a joint statement disputing the legitimacy of Mubarak’s removal. They maintained that the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang had not reached a unanimous decision during the meeting in question and insisted they did not consent to his dismissal.
They went further to challenge Aminuddin’s leadership, stating that he was no longer fit to head the state administration and should be replaced.
With both sides asserting conflicting claims of authority, the assembly opening proceeds against a backdrop of deepening uncertainty over the state’s constitutional order and the role of its unique elective monarchy. - April 22, 2026
