Prosecution seeking to amend one of Guan Eng’s graft charges

Prosecution seeking to amend one of Guan Eng’s graft charges


4 hours ago
Ho Kit Yen


Lawyers for the former Penang chief minister object, arguing that the proposed amendment could affect their defence strategy and the testimony of earlier witnesses

Lim Guan Eng was charged with using his position as then Penang chief minister to ask a businessman for a 10% cut of the profits from an undersea tunnel project, and accepting RM3.3 million in kickbacks. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in Lim Guan Eng’s graft trial over the undersea tunnel project is seeking to amend one of the charges against the former Penang chief minister.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharudin Wan Ladin told the sessions court today that the prosecution was applying to amend the contents of a charge alleging that Lim received RM3.3 million from a businessman.

He said the proposed amendment would not affect Lim’s defence, noting that Lim had consistently maintained he never received the alleged sum.


However, Lim’s lawyer Haijan Omar said the defence would object to the application, arguing that the amendment could affect their case and previous witnesses who had already testified.

In response, judge Azura Alwi told the defence to file its submissions, and that the court would hear objections tomorrow.


‘Text messages with Zarul never mentioned Guan Eng’

Businessman G Gnanaraja told the court today that Lim’s name did not appear in his text messages with fellow businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli.

He also concurred that he and Zarul never spoke about an alleged RM19 million “friendly loan” that he would receive.

During cross-examination, co-counsel Tiara Katrina Fuad suggested that Gnanaraja’s account of the RM19 million loan was “illogical”, which he denied.


“Do you agree that you offered yourself as a witness in this case to pin the blame on YB Lim because you sealed a deal with the prosecution?” she asked.


Gnanaraja rejected the allegation and disagreed with the suggestion.

Lim is accused of using his position as then Penang chief minister to solicit a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project and receiving RM3.3 million in bribes from Zarul.

He also faces two charges of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land.

Indira fails in bid to adduce new evidence on ex-husband

Indira fails in bid to adduce new evidence on ex-husband


The Court of Appeal says evidence showing Riduan Abdullah's alleged use of government aid schemes would not have affected the outcome of the appeal

M Indira Gandhi wants the Court of Appeal to overturn the High Court’s dismissal of her RM100 million suit against the police and government two years ago. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Court of Appeal today rejected single mother M Indira Gandhi’s application to introduce new evidence relating to the whereabouts of her former husband who abducted their youngest child 17 years ago.

A three-member panel chaired by Justice Zaini Mazlan unanimously ruled that the application did not meet the threshold for admitting new evidence, Utusan Malaysia reported.

The other judges who sat on the panel were Justices Faizah Jamaludin and Radzi Abdul Hamid.


The proposed new evidence comprised records showing that Riduan Abdullah, formerly known as K Pathmanathan, had received BUDI95 and RM100 SARA assistance.

Indira made the application during the hearing of her appeal to reinstate a RM100 million lawsuit against the police and the government for allegedly failing to trace Riduan and return their daughter, Prasana Diksa, to her.

In delivering the court’s brief grounds, Zaini said the evidence sought arose only after the High Court trial had concluded as the aid programmes cited did not exist at the time.

“The admission of new evidence is at the court’s discretion and is exercised cautiously. (Indira’s) claim against the respondents in the High Court was based on alleged non-compliance within a specified period, namely up to Jan 27, 2020.

“The respondents’ defence was also confined to the alleged non-compliance up to that date, during which they detailed every action taken.

“As such, the High Court’s decision was based on evidence and facts within that period,” he said.


Zaini said the proposed evidence did not relate to the factual findings made by the High Court, nor did it meet the requirement of having a material influence on the outcome of the case.

“We find that this application does not demonstrate any circumstances that would justify the exercise of our discretion to admit the new evidence,” he said.

No order was made as to costs. Senior federal counsel Liew Horng Bin appeared for the respondents, while Indira was represented by Rajesh Nagarajan.

Case management was fixed for April 24 to set a date for the decision on Indira’s appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling dismissing her suit.


The High Court had on June 28, 2024 dismissed Indira’s suit after finding she had failed to establish bad faith on the part of the police.

Riduan converted the couple’s three children to Islam in 2009 without Indira’s consent and sought custody through the shariah court.

He then abducted Prasana in 2009, when she was just 11 months old. Their two other children were returned to her in 2010.

On Jan 29, 2018, the Federal Court ruled that the conversions were null and void, and ordered the inspector-general of police to arrest Riduan for defying the High Court’s directive to return the youngest daughter to her mother.

7.5-magnitude quake hits off Japan, tsunami warning issued

FMT:

7.5-magnitude quake hits off Japan, tsunami warning issued

The tremor had an epicentre in the Pacific Ocean and was 10km deep, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency

The meteorological agency warned of a tsunami as high as 3m in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures. (EPA Images pic)

TOKYO: An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, as authorities urged residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to 3m were expected.

The tremor had an epicentre in the Pacific Ocean and was 10km deep, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The biggest waves were expected in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures, authorities said.

Speaking to reporters, prime minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had set up an emergency task force and urged citizens in the affected areas to evacuate to safety.


Broadcaster NHK showed ships sailing out of Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in anticipation of the waves, as an alert ‘Tsunami! Evacuate!’ flashed across the screen.

Bullet train services in Aomori at the northern tip of Japan’s main Honshu island were halted due to the tremors, Kyodo news agency reported.

The quake measured an ‘upper 5’ on Japan’s seismic intensity scale — strong enough to make it difficult for people to move around. In many cases, unreinforced concrete-block walls collapse.

Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes. Located in the “Ring of Fire” of volcanoes and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for about 20% of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or more.

There are no nuclear power plants currently in operation in Hokkaido and Tohoku regions but Hokkaido Electric Power and Tohoku Electric Power Co have a number of shutdown nuclear power plants there. Tohoku Electric said it was checking the impact of the earthquake and tsunami on its Onagawa nuclear power plant.

Qualifications Fraud is Killing Malaysian Higher Education

Murray Hunter


Qualifications Fraud is Killing Malaysian Higher Education

Murray Hunter and Geoffrey Williams
Apr 20, 2026





Qualifications fraud is an escalating threat to the integrity and credibility of Malaysia’s higher education sector with senior figures promoting unaccredited courses and the higher education minister remaining silent.

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has brought to light concerns about the legitimacy of certificates issued without proper regulation in Malaysia, sparking robust debate among students, educators, and employers about the authenticity of qualifications and their impact on career prospects.

In November 2024, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) CEO, Dato’ Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shatar bin Sabran, issued a stern warning: certificates should not be issued for courses or qualifications unregulated within Malaysia.

The MQA stressed that such practices erode public trust in the higher education system and may cause students to invest time and resources in credentials that lack legal and professional standing. This warning is a crucial reminder for institutions to adhere strictly to national accreditation standards and for students to remain vigilant when selecting their courses.

As a direct response to the controversy, several universities have taken decisive action. Asia Pacific University (APU) has stopped advertising CMI certificates, while Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) has reportedly ended its contract with CMI. These moves underscore the seriousness of the issue and the commitment of some Malaysian universities to uphold academic integrity.

Elsewhere the former higher education director general Dato’ Seri Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Ishak is actively promoting the CMI as chair of its regional board and his successor as Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Professor Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed sells unaccredited certificates from the CMI in the Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB) at UUM.

Former higher education director general Mohamed Mustafa Ishak (left) is actively promoting the CMI as chair of its regional board and his successor as Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Professor Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed (centre) is selling unaccredited CMI certificates at UUM, meanwhile the Malaysian higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir (right) remains silent


Malaysia’s largest university, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) is also actively supporting and celebrating issuing unaccredited certificates from the CMI.

Despite the active involvement of leading public universities in selling unaccredited CMI certificates, the warning from MQA remains unenforced and although the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), led by its minister Datuk Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir and secretary general Datuk Dr. Anesee bin Ibrahim, is aware of the issue, so far no public action has been taken.

The ministry’s current silence has raised concerns among stakeholders who are calling for more robust regulatory intervention to protect students and the reputation of Malaysian higher education.

Questions are also being raised about the undignified reliance of Malaysian universities on endorsement by foreign organisations embroiled in legal action in Malaysia and concerns about misrepresentation of their accreditation around the world.

This contradicts the MOHE position while preparing the new Higher Education Plan 2025-2035 when Zambry repeatedly reminded Malaysians that no foreign consultants were used in dictating the future of Malaysia’s higher education.

The dangers of qualification fraud extend beyond individual cases, posing systemic risks. The circulation of unregulated certificates undermines confidence in Malaysian graduates and diminishes the national reputation for academic excellence.

Employers struggle to distinguish genuine qualifications from fraudulent ones, leading to unfair hiring practices and lost opportunities for deserving candidates. Moreover, students who unknowingly pursue such credentials may face setbacks in their career progression, unable to secure jobs or further study due to invalid certification.

To safeguard the future of Malaysian higher education, stakeholders must prioritise transparency and regulation. The MQA’s guidance highlights the importance of verifying programme accreditation and ensuring that qualifications are recognised both locally and internationally.

By addressing qualification fraud proactively, Malaysia can protect its students, uphold the integrity of its educational institutions, and maintain its standing as a centre of academic excellence in the region.

Sultan of Selangor reprimands state government for lack of seriousness in flood mitigation efforts, despite his past counsel

Sultan of Selangor reprimands state government for lack of seriousness in flood mitigation efforts, despite his past counsel



Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (right) is seen here with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (left). — Bernama pic

Monday, 20 Apr 2026 12:21 PM MYT


SHAH ALAM, April 20 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has rebuked the state government for failing to resolve persistent flooding issues despite repeated advisories.

According to The Star, the Ruler delivered the reprimand during his royal address at the opening of the Selangor state legislative assembly today.

Sultan Sharafuddin noted that he had previously suggested the state seek expertise from overseas, particularly the Netherlands, to find effective solutions for Selangor’s flood problems. He expressed disappointment that his counsel had not been taken seriously, likening the inaction to wasted effort.

The Ruler also pointed out that although annual state budget allocations have been set aside to tackle flooding, no meaningful results have been observed so far. He stated that residential areas continue to be hit by floods, causing hardship for the public.

As such, Sultan Sharafuddin repeated his call for the state government to prioritise flood management and to draw up plans to address it.

In addition, the Sultan has directed the cleaning of the Klang River to ensure a clean water supply for Selangor’s growing population. He affirmed that he would continue pressing for action until both the flooding and clean water supply issues are fully resolved.

***

Some years back I visited China and went to a tourist site on the banks of the mighty Hwang He (Yellow River). I asked my guide, a young Chinese sweetheart whether she was aware that the Hwang He was once called the 'Sorrow of China'. She looked at me in puzzlement because by her time, China has already conquered the flooding river, and young Chinese like her didn't know what a nasty flooding-killing river Hwang He was, killing millions in her almost-annual deluge.

Hwang He today

Son of Moloch smashed Jesus statue with sledgehammer in Lebanon

Israel says image of soldier striking Jesus statue with sledgehammer in Lebanon is authentic



People drive past damaged homes as they return to the southern Lebanese village of Srifa April 19, 2026. — AFP pic

Monday, 20 Apr 2026 3:18 PM MYT


JERUSALEM, April 20 — Israel’s army said today it had determined that an image circulating on social media showing one of its soldiers in south Lebanon hitting a statue of Jesus Christ is authentic.

The image appears to show an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head on a statue of a crucified Jesus that had fallen off a cross.


The sculpture is located in the Christian village of Debl in south Lebanon, near the border with Israel, the local municipality told AFP, but officials could not say whether it had been damaged.

Israel’s army said in a post on its official X account today that it viewed the incident with “great severity”, adding that the “soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops”.

“Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon,” the army said.

The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being “addressed through the chain of command”, it added.

The army said “appropriate measures will be taken against those involved” but did not go into further detail.

It said it is working with the community to “restore the statue to its place”.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned what he called a “shameful and disgraceful” act.

“I am confident that necessary severe measures will be taken against whoever committed this ugly act,” he wrote on X.

“We apologise for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt.”

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war in early March when the Tehran-backed armed group Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel in support of Iran.

Israel responded with massive strikes across Lebanon and an invasion of the south.

Israeli troops have remained in the south despite a ceasefire between the two countries that began on Friday. — AFP

Iran’s president urges diplomacy with US but warns distrust remains

Iran’s president urges diplomacy with US but warns distrust remains



A boy looks on during an anti-US and anti-Israel rally at Enghelab Square amid a ceasefire between the US and Iran, in Tehran April 15, 2026. — Reuters pic

Monday, 20 Apr 2026 3:25 PM MYT


DUBAI, April 20 — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said today that every rational and diplomatic path should be used to reduce tensions with the US, but added that vigilance and distrust in interactions with Washington were an “undeniable necessity”, according to the state news agency IRNA.


A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US is set to expire on Wednesday, with US representatives set to reach Islamabad for Iran negotiations today while Tehran has yet to announce whether it will send a delegation to Pakistan.


Iranian state TV quoted an unnamed informed source as saying there were no plans for a second round of negotiations due to the US’ “excessive and irrational” demands as well as its changing stances.

The adversaries are at loggerheads over the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran tightened control over maritime transit as the US continues to blockade Iranian ports and yesterday took custody of a vessel trying to get past the American blockade.


Both Iran and the US have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Pezeshkian said the US blockade showed that Washington was moving toward “repeating previous patterns and betraying diplomacy”, according to state TV. — Reuters

Outrage after photo shows Israeli soldier smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon

Social media users condemn Western silence on attacks on religious symbols and sites by Israeli soldiers and settlers.

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Israeli soldiers stand near the Israel-Lebanon border [File: Florion Goga/Reuters]

By Al Jazeera Staff

Published On 19 Apr 202619 Apr 2026

A viral photograph showing an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon with a sledgehammer has sparked outrage.

In a statement on Monday, the Israeli military confirmed the authenticity of the image that was widely shared online, garnering more than 5 million views on X.

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It said that following an initial review, it was determined that the photograph showed an Israeli soldier “operating in southern Lebanon”, where Israel last month launched a ground invasion in conjunction with aerial bombardment amid its joint war with the United States on Iran.

The military added that an investigation had been opened and that “appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings”.

Commenting on social media, Ayman Odeh, a Palestinian member of the Israeli parliament, wrote pointedly: “We’ll wait to hear the police spokesperson claim that ‘the soldier felt threatened by Jesus’.”

Ahmad Tibi, another Palestinian member of the Knesset, wrote on Facebook that those who blow up mosques and churches in Gaza and spit on Christian clergy in Jerusalem without punishment are not afraid to destroy a statue of Jesus Christ and publish it.

“Perhaps these racists have also learned from Donald Trump to insult Jesus Christ and insult Pope Leo?” he asked, referring to the US president’s recent controversies, including his now-deleted AI-generated image that portrayed him as a Jesus-like figure and his feud with the head of the Roman Catholic Church, who has criticised the war on Iran.

Several activists, academics and writers also criticised the desecration of the statue, which was located on the outskirts of the village of Debl in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel.

Social media users also condemned the international silence following attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers against religious sites and symbols.

“When the Western world remains silent, racists go further,” said Tibi.

Israeli forces repeatedly attacked religious sites, including mosques and churches, during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. In the occupied West Bank, meanwhile, settlers vandalised or attacked 45 mosques last year, according to the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Separately, the Religious Freedom Data Center (RFDC) documented at least 201 incidents of violence against Christians, primarily committed by Orthodox Jews targeting international clergy or individuals displaying Christian symbols, between January 2024 and September 2025.

The majority of these incidents, which included multiple forms of harassment, including spitting, verbal abuse, vandalism and assaults, took place in Jerusalem’s Old City, located in occupied East Jerusalem.

Oil prices surge amid mixed signals on US-Iran peace talks

Brent crude rises more than 7 percent as Washington and Tehran offer conflicting accounts on ceasefire negotiations.

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The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, on April 18, 2026 [Asghar Besharati/AP]

By John Power

Published On 20 Apr 202620 Apr 2026

Oil prices have risen sharply following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and conflicting messages about the prospect of renewed negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Brent crude futures, the primary benchmark for global prices, jumped more than 7 percent in Asia on Monday as the outlook for peace between Washington and Tehran darkened.

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Prices eased somewhat later in the morning, with the benchmark at $94.69 a barrel as of 02:05 GMT, up from just under $90.40 on Friday.

The latest price surge came after US President Donald Trump said US forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that had attempted to evade the US blockade of Iran’s ports.

Trump’s announcement followed reports by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre over the weekend that two vessels came under attack while transiting the strait.

Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker, while an “unknown projectile” struck a container ship, according to the UKMTO.

After declaring the strait “completely open” on Friday, Tehran reversed course less than 24 hours later, citing the ongoing US blockade.

Iran says no to US talks in Pakistan after warship fires on cargo vessel in Gulf of Oman

Iran says no to US talks in Pakistan after warship fires on cargo vessel in Gulf of Oman



Police personnel stand guard at a closed road leading to the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone area of Islamabad April 19, 2026. A second round of talks between the United States and Iran is expected in Islamabad this coming week. — AFP pic

Monday, 20 Apr 2026 8:47 AM MYT


WASHINGTON, April 20 — Iran is not currently planning to attend talks with the United States, state media said, after President Donald Trump ordered US negotiators to travel to Pakistan today, just days before a ceasefire in the Middle East expires.


The ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports has been a significant sticking point, an issue further complicated by an American destroyer yesterday firing on and seizing an Iranian ship that tried to evade it. Tehran warned it would retaliate.


State broadcaster IRIB yesterday cited Iranian sources as saying “there are currently no plans to participate in the next round of Iran-US talks”.

The Fars and Tasnim news agencies had earlier cited anonymous sources as saying “the overall atmosphere cannot be assessed as very positive”, adding that lifting the US blockade was a precondition for negotiations.


State-run IRNA meanwhile pointed to the blockade and Washington’s “unreasonable and unrealistic demands”, saying that “in these circumstances, there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations”.


Iran and the United States, along with Israel, are just three days away from the end of the two-week ceasefire that halted the Middle East war, ignited by surprise US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

There has so far been only a single, 21-hour negotiating session held in Islamabad on April 11 that ended inconclusively, though groundwork for fresh talks continued afterwards.


“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it,” Trump said in a post yesterday, while also renewing his threats against Iran’s infrastructure if a deal is not made.

US fires on Iranian ship

Trump has been under pressure to find an off-ramp since Tehran moved early in the war to choke off the Strait of Hormuz.

The vital waterway is a conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas in peacetime, and its closure has hammered the global economy and roiled markets.

Having failed to force it open again, Trump countered with a US naval blockade on Iranian ports in an attempt to cut off Tehran’s oil revenues.

Yesterday, he announced that a massive Iranian-flagged cargo ship “tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them.”

A US destroyer warned the ship to stop and then forced it to by “by blowing a hole in the engineroom”, Trump said, adding: “Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel.”

Trump said the Iranian-flagged ship, Touska, is under US Treasury sanctions “because of prior history of illegal activity.”

The ISNA news agency later cited a spokesperson for Iran’s central command centre as warning that “the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy and the US military”.

Iran had briefly reopened the strait on Friday in recognition of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon, but closed it again the following day in response to the United States maintaining its blockade.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that any attempt to pass through the strait without permission “will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted”.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei yesterday said the blockade was “a violation” of the ceasefire and illegal collective punishment of the Iranian people.

A handful of oil and gas tankers had crossed the strait early on Saturday during the brief reopening, but by early yesterday morning tracking data showed the waterway empty of shipping.

The afternoon before, a trio of incidents involving Iranian fire and threats towards commercial vessels demonstrated the danger of any attempted crossing.

Heightened security

In spite of the uncertainty surrounding the talks in Pakistan, security was visibly stepped up in Islamabad yesterday in anticipation of the negotiations.

Authorities announced road closures and traffic restrictions across the city, as well as in neighbouring Rawalpindi.

The US president said his negotiators, whom he did not name, would arrive in the Pakistani capital this evening.

A White House official said the delegation would be led by Vice President JD Vance and include Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

A major issue in the negotiations has been Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium.

Trump said on Friday that Iran had agreed to hand over its roughly 440 kilogrammes of enriched uranium. “We’re going to get it by going in with Iran, with lots of excavators,” he said.

But Iran’s foreign ministry has said the stockpile, thought to be buried deep under rubble from US bombing in last June’s 12-day war, was “not going to be transferred anywhere”, and surrendering it “to the US has never been raised in negotiations”.

Yesterday, President Masoud Pezeshkian questioned why Iran should give up its “legal right” to a nuclear programme. — AFP

Ex-Undang Luak Sungai Ujong’s move to depose Negeri Sembilan Ruler ‘disloyal’, should face legal action, says official

Ex-Undang Luak Sungai Ujong’s move to depose Negeri Sembilan Ruler ‘disloyal’, should face legal action, says official



The Telaga Undang building in Kampung Telaga Undang, Seremban where Negeri Sembilan chiefs and their heirs as well as elders gather to discuss matters related to state custom and religion. — Picture from Facebook/Majlis Dato Lembaga Adat Sungei Ujong

Monday, 20 Apr 2026 10:11 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — A former Undang Luak Sungai Ujong’s move to sign and read a declaration purporting to depose the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, has been condemned as an act of disloyalty and without any authority.

Telaga Undang official Sarifah Norzaidah Al-Qadri said Datuk Mubarak Dohak’s declaration was carried out without any customary or constitutional mandate, Malay news outlet BH reported today.

“The Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Anak Waris Klana Hulu also never gave him a mandate to do so.

“Mubarak’s action is an act of disloyalty against Tuanku Muhriz and should be subjected to legal action,” she was quoted as saying.


She said Mubarak had already been removed as the holder of the Datuk Klana Petra title on May 13, 2025, and the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) meeting on April 17 had advised that the removal be formally accepted.


BH also reported that this matter has been referred to the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department and the police for further action.

Earlier today, Bernama reported Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Harun as saying his state government does not recognise nor accept Mubarak’s signed declaration to remove Tuanku Muhriz from his position.


Amirudin said Mubarak no longer holds any authority or function as Undang Luak Sungai Ujong, and the act contravenes Articles 10 to 12 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959.

He added that Mubarak had been removed as the 10th Datuk Klana Petra following allegations of breaches of Islamic law and customary practices.

The removal was announced by Tua Lembaga Waris di-Darat Datuk Andulika Mandalika Zainol Ariffin Ibrahim after receiving consent from Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and Anak Waris Klana Hulu.

According to an official statement, the decision was made after a meeting held at Telaga Undang Sungai Ujong on April 1, 2025.

Telaga Undang is the traditional meeting place in Luak Sungei Ujong where local chiefs, heirs and elders gather to discuss matters of custom and religion.

It is located in Kampung Telaga Undang, Seremban, and can rotate between four designated family houses that all have natural wells which have never run dry.

No authority, no validity: Negeri Sembilan MB rejects bid to unseat state Ruler

No authority, no validity: Negeri Sembilan MB rejects bid to unseat state Ruler



Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, whose position was targeted in a disputed declaration that the state government says has no legal validity. — Bernama pic

Monday, 20 Apr 2026 8:47 AM MYT


SEREMBAN, April 20 — The action of Datuk Mubarak Dohak in signing and reading a declaration to depose His Royal Highness Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at the Balai Undang Luak Sungai Ujong on Sunday (April 19), cannot be accepted and is not recognised.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, in a statement, said this is because Mubarak no longer holds any authority or function as the Undang Luak Sungei Ujong, and such action is inconsistent with Articles 10 to 12 of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution (UUTKNS) 1959.

He added that Mubarak’s dismissal as the incumbent of Datuk Klana Petra Luak Sungei Ujong was effected on May 13, 2025, in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Telaga Undang, Waris Klana Hulu, Sungei Ujong.

Aminuddin also said that the Special Sitting of the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) Negeri Sembilan held on April 17 agreed to advise and accept the consensus of the Telaga Undang, Waris Klana Hulu, Luak Sungei Ujong, which dismissed Mubarak as the 10th Datuk Klana Petra Luak Sungei Ujong.


He added that this is in accordance with Clause 14(3) of the state constitution, based on 33 offences related to the customs and traditions of the Telaga Undang, Waris Klana Hulu, Luak Sungei Ujong.


“I wish to clarify that the DKU Negeri Sembilan functions as an advisory body on matters relating to Malay customs and traditions, including issues concerning the appointment and removal of the four Undang Luak, as provided under Article 16 of the UUTKNS.

“This includes matters pertaining to the dismissal of an Undang Luak from holding his customary title in accordance with the customs of his luak, pursuant to Clause 14(3) of the UUTKNS,” he said.


Aminuddin added that the acceptance by the DKU of the dismissal of a Datuk Undang Luak in Negeri Sembilan has precedent, as in the case of the 14th Undang Luak Johol, Datuk Mohammad Jan Abdul Ghani, who was dismissed on March 27, 2016, for 13 offences related to the customs and traditions of Luak Johol.

Last Friday, the DKU accepted the dismissal of Mubarak, following a special sitting held at the Istana Besar Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah, which was presided over by Tuanku Muhriz.

Aminuddin was reported to have said that during the special sitting, Tuanku Muhriz invoked Clause 24 of the state constitution by inviting the Ibu Soko Klana Hulu and the Waris Klana Hulu to be present at the sitting. — Bernama

Negeri Sembilan’s unique ruler selection system: Who are the Undang Yang Empat and what role are they playing?

Negeri Sembilan’s unique ruler selection system: Who are the Undang Yang Empat and what role are they playing?



From left: Datuk Mendika Menteri Akhirulzaman Datuk Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Datuk Klana Petra Datuk Mubarak Dohak (Sungai Ujong), Datuk Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan Datuk Muhammad Abdullah (Johol) and Datuk Lela Maharaja Datuk Seri Utama Muhammad Shariff Omar (Rembau). — Facebook screenshot

Monday, 20 Apr 2026 12:06 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — A rare constitutional and adat dispute in Negeri Sembilan has thrust the state’s unique traditional system into the national spotlight.

At the centre of the controversy are the Undang Yang Empat, or the four ruling chiefs whose roles, powers and selection processes differ significantly from the royal systems in other Malaysian states.

Here is a breakdown of who they are, how the system works, and why it matters in the current crisis.


What are the Undang?

Negeri Sembilan is the only state in Malaysia that practices Adat Perpatih, a Minangkabau-derived system rooted in matrilineal customs.


Under this system, the state is divided into traditional territories known as luak. Four of these are considered primary:

• Sungai Ujong
• Jelebu
• Johol
• Rembau

Each is headed by an Undang, making up the Undang Yang Empat – the highest-ranking adat leaders in the state.

In short, they are the customary chiefs who play a decisive role in the state’s royal institution, but they are not a monarch.


How are Undang selected?

Unlike hereditary monarchies, the Undang are not chosen through direct father-to-son succession.

Instead, their appointment follows a layered adat hierarchy:

• Anak buah (clan members) select
• Buapak (sub-clan heads), who select-Lembaga (clan leaders), who then appoint
• The Undang

Selection is also guided by Adat Perpatih, meaning lineage is traced through the maternal line, although leadership roles are held by men chosen from eligible noble families within each luak.


What powers do they have?

The Undang’s most significant constitutional role is selecting the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (YDPB) of Negeri Sembilan.

Under the state constitution:

• The YDPB must be elected by the Undang Yang Empat
• The candidate must be a male Malay Muslim
• He must be a legitimate patrilineal descendant of Raja Radin ibni Raja Lenggang

If no suitable direct heir exists, the Undang may choose from a broader pool of male relatives, including brothers, uncles, or nephews.

Beyond appointments, the Undang:

• Sit in the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang, the highest adat council
• Advise on matters of custom and royal institution
• Hold the authority, under certain provisions, to remove a ruler if deemed to have compromised the dignity of the throne

How does this differ from other states?

Most Malaysian rulers inherit their positions through strict hereditary succession.

Negeri Sembilan is different.

Its ruler is elected, not automatically crowned, making it the only monarchy in Malaysia with an elective system rooted in custom.

This system dates back to Minangkabau traditions and was formalised in the state constitution in 1959, though its origins go back centuries.

In 1967, following the death of Tuanku Munawir, his son Tuanku Muhriz, the current ruler, was bypassed as he was then only 19, the Edge reported.

The Undang instead elected his uncle, Tuanku Ja’afar, who went on to reign for over four decades until 2008.

Upon Tuanku Ja’afar’s death, the Undang revisited that earlier decision and elected Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.


What changed over time?

Before colonial rule, Undang wielded broader governing powers within their territories.

However, British administration in the late 19th century introduced a modern bureaucratic system, reducing their authority mainly to:

• Adat (customary law)
• Religion
• Ceremonial roles

Today, Negeri Sembilan operates with two parallel systems:

• Modern political administration (districts, state government)
• Traditional adat structure (luak, Undang, clan hierarchy)

How does this relate to the current crisis?

The present dispute centres on Datuk Mubarak Dohak, the Undang of Sungai Ujong, whose removal in 2025 has been contested, according to Malaysiakini.

Despite his reported dismissal by local adat authorities, and later acknowledged in a Dewan Keadilan dan Undang meeting, Mubarak has continued to assert his position.

On April 19, he and three other Undang issued two dramatic proclamations:

• Declaring the removal of the incumbent Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir
• Naming Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new ruler

According to a Malaysiakini report, the move followed what the Undang described as an internal inquiry conducted on March 5 into alleged breaches in the discharge of royal duties, which they claimed were deliberate and had brought disrepute to the institution.

This move hinges on constitutional provisions that allow at least three Undang to exercise powers related to the appointment or removal of the ruler.

However, the situation is complicated by questions over Mubarak’s legitimacy as Undang to remove the ruler following his earlier removal

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has since rejected the attempt, saying it carries no legal validity.