Negeri Sembilan royal rumble: What's going on?

KINIGUIDE | Negeri Sembilan royal rumble: What's going on?

Zikri Kamarulzaman

Published: Sep 17, 2026 3:44 PM


KINIGUIDE | The crisis surrounding Negeri Sembilan’s monarchy has dragged on for almost half a year and may be approaching its climax.


Follow this Malaysiakini report through a timeline of events to understand what happened and where all the moving pieces are now.

But first.

Who are the Undang Yang Empat?

The Undang Yang Empat are the Minangkabau ruling chiefs of four luak (districts) in Negeri Sembilan - Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol, and Rembau. They are elected by an institution of clan leaders and matriarchs from each respective luak.

The four, by powers vested in them via the Negeri Sembilan Constitution, are responsible for electing the state’s ruler - the Yang di-Pertuan Besar or Yamtuan Besar - from among the descendants of Raja Radin Raja Lenggang.


The four, together with the ruler and other nobles including the tengku besar Tampin, are members of the Negeri Sembilan Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs (Dewan Keadilan dan Undang - DKU), which acts as an advisory body on customary affairs and the appointment and removal of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

Article 29 of the state constitution states that the undangs’ decisions are deemed to have “been duly exercised or performed if such powers were exercised or such duties were performed by at least three undangs or by as many of them as may be living at the time of the exercise of such powers or the performance of such duties”.


What’s the legal basis for this whole dispute?

The dispute centres on the powers of Negeri Sembilan’s four ruling chieftains to decide who sits on the throne.

Article 10(1) of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution states that the Undang Yang Empat can remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar if “His Highness has done any overt act detrimental to the sanctity, honour and dignity of a Yang di-Pertuan Besar”, among other reasons.

However, the provision states that prior to deposing the ruler, the undangs must conduct a "full inquiry".

Further, Article 10(2) states that a declaration of abdication needs to be signed by both the undangs and the menteri besar.

What is the current situation?

A group of undangs has moved to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir (below) as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

However, the group’s legitimacy to enforce Article 10 is in question. They have also named Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the rightful ruler.

On Sept 16, the BN-led state exco issued a statement claiming Tuanku Muhriz’s removal is valid, although this is also being contested.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim announced on Sept 17 that the state will gazette the appointment of Tuanku Nadzaruddin as ruler.


Timeline

Dispute between undang faction and Tuanku Muhriz began, as follows:

- December 2024

Sungai Ujong Undang Mubarak Thahak sacked two clan leaders over alleged abuse of government funds.

- May 13, 2025

Leaders from the Sungai Ujong clan - including the two who were sacked in December - move to oust Mubarak as undang.

There were reportedly 33 reasons for his removal, including acts which allegedly breached Islamic law and customs, with reports lodged with the police and the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Council.

As of writing, the reasons have not been disclosed to the public.

The ouster attempt was not immediately acted upon as it requires DKU's approval.

- March 5, 2026

Almost a year later, Mubarak moves against Tuanku Muhriz during a DKU meeting.

According to an affidavit by the then-undang of Johol, Muhammed Abdullah, the situation became tense when Mubarak (above, second from left) reprimanded Tuanku Muhriz over unspecified administrative and customary transgressions.

Muhammed, Mubarak and then-Jelebu undang Maarof Mat Rashad left the palace - ostensibly to ease tensions. They retreated to the Sungai Ujong council hall for a second meeting.

During that second meeting, the trio came to the conclusion that Tuanku Muhriz is not fit to be Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

They ordered then-menteri besar Aminuddin Harun - who was reportedly present - to carry out their decree as per Article 10, to remove Tuanku Muhriz, and to sign off on the order as per Article 10(2).

Aminuddin (above) reportedly agreed and said he will discuss the matter further with the state secretary and legal adviser. However, after several days, the order was not carried out.

READ MORE: Disclose minutes from council meet, chieftain's aide challenges N Sembilan MB

- April 17

The DKU has a special meeting. The Sungai Ujong clan leaders against Mubarak present their case to remove him as undang.

Tuanku Muhriz and all other members of the council were then reported to have accepted Mubarak’s removal as Sungai Ujong undang, effective May 13 last year.

According to former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Rais Yatim (above) - who is also the undang’s legal adviser -the views of those present, such as the tunku besar of Tampin, the datuk syahbandar of Sungai Ujong, and the undang of Johol, were not accepted.

- April 19

Mubarak and the other three undangs held a press conference where they made public their decision to remove Tuanku Muhriz.

They claim to have carried out a thorough investigation, believed to be aimed at fulfilling the enquiry requirements under Article 10.

They also declare Tuanku Nadzaruddin (above) as the rightful ruler.

- April 20

Aminuddin declared the undangs’ proclamation as void, citing Mubarak’s removal as undang.

However, the bigger issue is his refusal to sign off on the proclamation as required by Article 10(2).

- April 23

The undangs and the tunku besar Tampin boycotted the opening of the state legislature opening ceremony.

By custom, the five are supposed to accompany the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and sit by his side during the ceremony and opening speech.

Umno withdraws support from Aminuddin

- April 27

Negeri Sembilan Umno withdrew support from Aminuddin as menteri besar, citing displeasure over his handling of the dispute between the undangs and the ruler.

They planned to form a new state government with Perikatan Nasional support. However, Tuanku Muhriz reportedly refused to grant Umno an audience.

Instead, Aminuddin was tasked by the ruler to head a minority government.

- May

Sungai Ujong clan leaders from the Klana Hulu lineage who ousted Mubarak installed Faris Johari (below) as the new undang.

However, a rival group from the Perut Waris Hulu lineage proclaimed Abd Rahman Limat as undang instead.

Meanwhile, the Mubarak faction took the DKU to court, seeking the release of the council’s April 17 meeting minutes.

They later issued a decree “suspending” Raja Norazli Raja Nordin as DKU secretary.

Legislature dissolved, Mubarak faction installs new ruler

- June 5

The state legislature was dissolved with Tuanku Muhriz’s consent, paving the way for a snap state election.

Meanwhile, during a ceremony at a hotel in Alor Gajah, Malacca, the Mubarak faction installed Tunku Nadzaruddin as the new Yang di-Pertuan Negeri.

The rebel chieftains’ plan to hold the investiture ceremony was foiled after police barred entry to the tunku besar Tampin’s ceremonial hall.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later announced that Putrajaya recognises Tuanku Muhriz as the rightful ruler.

Separately, the Seremban High Court granted a temporary injunction to preserve the status quo in the state monarchy and prevented the Mubarak faction from holding any special meetings.

- June 11

Tuanku Muhriz proclaimed his second child, Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin, as the new Tunku Panglima Besar Negeri Sembilan - replacing Tunku Nadzaruddin.

- June 27

Faris is formally recognised by Tuanku Muhriz as the new undang of Sungai Ujong.

Also formally recognised is Hassan Ab Hamid as the new undang of Rembau. The Rembau district customary council denied royal interference in their decision to appoint a new undang.

- June 30

The DKU affirms Tuanku Muhriz as the rightful ruler.

The council also declared the removal of Jelebu undang Maarof Mat Rashad and Sungai Ujong’s datuk syahbandar Badarudin Abdul Khalid, effective May 31, 2023 and July 30, 2026, respectively.

Both are aligned with the Mubarak faction.

- July 8

The High Court allows the DKU to initiate contempt proceedings against the Mubarak faction over their move to install Tunku Nadzaruddin as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

BN wins, new MB

- Aug 1

BN won the Negeri Sembilan election with a two-thirds majority, riding on a wave of Malay unity support thanks to its new alliance with PAS and Perikatan Nasional.

Aminuddin’s bid to capture Linggi from BN failed.

- Aug 2

Ismail is sworn in as menteri besar.

- Aug 3

Behind the scenes, Ismail met with the Mubarak faction and rival claimant to the throne, Tunku Nadzaruddin.

During the meeting, reportedly in the presence of his lawyer, Ismail signed a document affirming the Mubarak faction’s decree in April removing Tuanku Muhriz as ruler.

This was meant to fulfil Article 10(2)’s requirement that the menteri besar signs the decree to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

MB flip-flops, state govt moves against Tuanku Muhriz

Sept 6

Over a month later, the Mubarak faction released a statement revealing that the menteri besar signed the decree against Tuanku Muhriz.

Ismail did not deny the statement but indicated that he was not on board. He claimed to be loyal to Tuanku Muhriz.

- Sept 8

The Mubarak faction held a press conference showing the document that Ismail signed.

Ismail lodged a police report over the matter.

- Sept 9

Ismail released a statement saying he signed the document under duress. He also said that the document is void and does not fulfil the requirements as per Article 10.

He again declared loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz.

- Sept 15

Ismail issues another statement saying that the menteri besar does not have unilateral power to decide who becomes the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.'

- Sept 16

The state exco issued a statement saying the Mubarak faction’s decree to remove Tuanku Muhriz is valid. They also recognised Tunku Nadzaruddin as the new ruler.

- Sept 17

The DKU rejected the exco’s declaration. The council’s lawyers applied to initiate contempt proceedings.

Ismail breaks his silence and has U-turned on his position. He declared that the state administration will accept the Mubarak faction’s April 19 proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz.

The state government will gazette the appointment of Tunku Nadzaruddin as the new ruler.


[More to follow]