DR Rais Yatim has spent more than four decades moving through Malaysia’s political corridors — rising in Umno, breaking away during one of the party’s biggest crises, returning to the fold, and later becoming a voice on adat and constitutional matters.
But the veteran politician is now facing one of the most difficult moments of his public career after the Negeri Sembilan palace revoked two state honours previously awarded to him.
The decision has reignited scrutiny over Rais’ long and often eventful journey in politics, as well as his role in recent disputes involving the state’s traditional institutions.
Rais first rose through Umno’s ranks in the 1970s, quickly establishing himself as one of the party’s promising young leaders.
At just 36, he became Negeri Sembilan menteri besar in 1978, marking him out as one of the younger figures to hold the position.
His political trajectory, however, changed after the 1987 Umno crisis, which saw the party split following a leadership challenge against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Rais left Umno and joined Semangat 46, the opposition party formed by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to challenge the dominance of the party he had once served.
The move placed Rais on the other side of the political divide, alongside several former Umno figures who broke away during the turbulent period.
But his departure from Umno was not permanent.
After Semangat 46 was dissolved in the 1990s, Rais returned to Umno and rebuilt his political career, eventually serving in several senior federal positions, including as foreign minister.
Over the years, Rais gradually moved away from frontline party politics and became more associated with issues surrounding constitutional affairs, Malay customs and Negeri Sembilan’s unique adat system.
However, in 2018, Rais joined Bersatu, but resigned from all his party posts earlier this year following the sacking of 17 party leaders, including deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
This followed a leadership tussle with party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In June, he was named as chairman of Parti Wawasan Negara, which is led by Hamzah.
His knowledge of the state’s traditions made him a respected figure among some circles, particularly on matters involving the constitutional arrangement and customs of Negeri Sembilan.
But that same role also placed him under scrutiny when he became involved in the recent dispute surrounding Negeri Sembilan’s succession issue.
Critics accused Rais of blurring the line between commenting on adat matters and involving himself in an issue concerning the royal institution.
The criticism intensified online, with some questioning whether a former politician with decades of experience in government should take such a visible role in a dispute involving the monarchy.
For supporters, Rais remains a figure with deep knowledge of Negeri Sembilan’s traditions and constitutional practices.
But for his critics, his long political history makes it difficult to separate his role as an adat commentator from that of a veteran player who has spent decades navigating Malaysia’s centres of power.
Several observers see Rais as an opportunist, labelling him as a ‘lalang’ who would favour anyone seen as being able to benefit him.
“When Umno was hit by a crisis, Rais was among those involved in leaving Umno to join Semangat 46. Similarly, when Umno faced a crisis due to the 1MDB issue, he once again switched sides to join Bersatu,” they said.
Rais’s actions, they added, clearly indicate that he is not an individual who is willing to swear allegiance if faced with any crisis.
“Just wait. When Wawasan is no longer able to benefit him, he will definitely switch sides again,” they said, sarcastically.
Rais’ latest controversy has put a spotlight on the gap between his long-standing role as a commentator on adat and institutions, and the criticism now directed at his own involvement in a dispute involving the Negeri Sembilan royal institution.
After decades in politics and public life, the veteran politician now faces questions over whether his intervention strengthened the traditions he has long defended — or crossed into territory where political influence and royal affairs should remain separate. – July 30, 2026
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