HANGZHOU, Sept 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim criticised the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and state executive council for attempting to remove Yang di‑Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, calling the move rude and uncivilised.
He said no state‑level authority has the mandate to question or alter the position of the Ruler, according to Berita Harian.
“Menteri Besar and the executive council who made this decision — this is a rude step, uncivilised, and I strongly object,” he said while travelling by high‑speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou.
Anwar said the crisis involving state administration and customary authority in Negeri Sembilan had become increasingly complex.
He noted that Datuk Ismail Lasim previously announced that the proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz had been unanimously endorsed by the state executive council.
Anwar stressed that the federal government is not interfering in the matter and said the issue of dethroning a Ruler is not straightforward.
He said his recent audience with Tuanku Muhriz was held because the court had affirmed His Majesty as the lawful Yang di‑Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
He said the Undang Luak have the authority to decide on the position of the Ruler, but their decisions are not absolute and must follow established procedures.
“I respect the Undang, and I know some of them well, but they must understand that safeguarding national institutions and security is the responsibility of the federal government,” he said.
“Do not say we cannot be involved; this is not interference. The Undang can make decisions, but those decisions are not absolute and must follow the rules,” he added.
Anwar said conflicting claims among the Undang must be resolved before any decision can be considered valid.
He said any decision made by the properly appointed Undang following the correct process would fall outside the jurisdiction of the federal government.
