Zahid: Neither MB Ismail Lasim nor I was summoned by Negeri Sembilan Ruler for an audience

Zahid: Neither MB Ismail Lasim nor I was summoned by Negeri Sembilan Ruler for an audience



Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he only learnt of a supposed audience with Negeri Sembilan Yamtuan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Negeri Sembilan on September 22, 2026, ‘through the media’. — Bernama pic


Summary

• Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi clarified that neither he nor Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim were summoned for an audience with Yang Dipertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir regarding the recent political developments in Negeri Sembilan.
• This follows the revocation of the appointments of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council members by Tuanku Muhriz for breaching their oaths of office.
• The legality of this decision was contested by Ismail Lasim, who argued that such action without the Menteri Besar's advice was unconstitutional.
• Dr. Zahid emphasized the importance of resolving the dispute with respect for legal interpretations and state institutions.

First Published: Tuesday, 22 Sep 2026 2:11 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said neither he nor Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim was summoned for an audience with Yang Dipertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Negeri Sembilan here yesterday.

“No. Neither the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar nor I was ever summoned for an audience. We only learnt about it through the media,” he said when asked at a press conference after officiating the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit 2026 here today.

He said the ongoing dispute in Negeri Sembilan should be resolved properly, with due regard for both legal interpretations and the state’s institutions.

“In my view, this is not merely a question of legal interpretation and powers. The institutions and establishment in Negeri Sembilan must also be respected,” he said.


Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had an audience with Tuanku Muhriz at Istana Negeri Sembilan in the capital yesterday, with the meeting lasting nearly an hour.

The audience followed Tuanku Muhriz’s decision to revoke the appointments of the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council members with immediate effect, after finding that they had breached their oaths of office.

Ismail, however, has disputed the validity of the move, arguing that the dismissal or termination of an executive councillor without the advice or request of the Menteri Besar was legally flawed, unconstitutional and had no legal effect. — Bernama

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And there was a good reason for it - Tuanku couldn't stand their faces, wakakaka