A constitutional expert has called for the establishment of a royal tribunal to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis in Negri Sembilan. Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla suggested that such a tribunal be formally incorporated into the Federal Constitution to provide a clear and undisputed legal framework, similar to the creation of the Special Court for royals in 1993.
The call comes amid escalating uncertainty following the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan. The crisis began on April 19 when four Undang, the state’s ruling chiefs, announced Tuanku Muhriz’s removal and named Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as replacement—a move later declared invalid by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) and the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Since a media statement was issued on September 17 announcing Tuanku Muhriz’s removal, tensions have increased. On September 20, Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of ten members of the state executive council (exco). Subsequently, these exco members were barred from Wisma Negeri, the state government building, with police controlling access to maintain order.
Mohamed Haniff proposed a temporary state emergency to maintain administrative functions during the constitutional amendment process, which he estimated would take several months. He emphasized that the paralysis of the state government was affecting routine matters such as property transactions, with no exco members available to approve documents. During the interim, civil servants reporting to the state secretary would manage state affairs.
To formally resolve the leadership dispute, Mohamed Haniff urged the Conference of Rulers to convene an urgent meeting to establish the tribunal. He suggested this body could be chaired by a retired Federal Court judge or former Chief Justice and would include representatives appointed by each disputing faction to determine the rightful Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Other legal experts have offered differing views on the appropriate legal mechanism. Constitutional lawyer Andrew Khoo noted that since the issue involves a Ruler, it might require the involvement of a Special Court and the Attorney General’s consent, as outlined in Articles 181 to 183 of the Federal Constitution. However, he cautioned against direct federal government intervention, asserting the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Conference of Rulers. Khoo warned that prolonged litigation could drain resources and distract the state government, ultimately harming the public.
Conversely, lawyer Surendra Ananth argued that the dispute did not concern a personal matter requiring the Special Court and could be resolved in the High Court. He proposed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, acting on advice from the Prime Minister, seek the Federal Court’s opinion under Article 130 of the Constitution. This approach, he suggested, would allow all relevant parties to be heard and enable a definitive resolution from the apex court.
The situation remains unresolved, with political leaders emphasizing the importance of de-escalation. Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged state officials to engage with Tuanku Muhriz to prevent further deterioration, underscoring concerns about the impact of the crisis on the state’s governance and its residents. Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan’s PKR highlighted that the ongoing uncertainty could delay key administrative processes such as approvals and land transfers.