Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, amid ongoing controversy surrounding the state's royal leadership. The meeting took place yesterday evening at Istana Hinggap Negri Sembilan in Bukit Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, lasting about an hour.

Anwar arrived at the palace around 6 p.m., arriving in a convoy escorted by police motorcycles, and departed approximately an hour later. Upon leaving, the Prime Minister briefly acknowledged members of the media.

The visit comes amid a dispute following a proclamation endorsed by members of the Negri Sembilan state executive council seeking to depose Tuanku Muhriz and recognize Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new ruler. Despite this, the state’s Dewan Keadilan dan Undang has upheld Tuanku Muhriz’s legitimacy as the rightful ruler, creating a division within the state's governance framework.

Speaking at an event in Melaka on Sunday night, Anwar expressed concern over the instability affecting the royal institution. He emphasized that the rulers’ positions must be upheld in accordance with the Constitution and the law, warning against arbitrary changes driven by political interests.

Anwar cautioned that allowing rulers to be changed frequently would undermine the monarchy system, noting that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong recognizes Tuanku Muhriz as the legitimate ruler. He criticized what he described as political interference aimed at swaying the royal institution, stressing that rulers should adhere to constitutional processes rather than political demands.

“The royal institution will fail if Rulers can be changed by the month and decisions are not made according to the law and Constitution,” Anwar said. He underscored the importance of maintaining constitutional order in the monarchy to ensure state stability, warning that any deviation risks damaging the institution and the state’s well-being.

The dispute over the Negri Sembilan royal leadership reflects broader tensions between political actors and traditional institutions, with key stakeholders reaffirming conflicting claims over the rightful ruler, leaving the issue unresolved as debates continue.