Negeri Sembilan palace moves to dismiss chieftain, secure support for chief minister selection ahead of polls

The Negeri Sembilan palace is moving to solidify ruler Muhriz Munawir's authority ahead of snap state elections, convening the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) to hear complaints against and affirm the removal of the Undang of Jelebu, Maarof Mat Rashad. This action, set for the eve of the Aug. 1 polls, aims to ensure Muhriz's backing in choosing the next chief minister.

The royal crisis has been escalating since April, when the four territorial chieftains attempted to depose Muhriz. In response, two new chieftains loyal to Muhriz were installed on June 27. Maarof's impending dismissal means Muhriz will likely have the support of two out of the three remaining Undang when selecting a new chief minister, a decision that requires their majority agreement.

Palace sources indicated that complaints against Maarof date back to 2022, and his continued presence in the selection process would have cast doubt on the legitimacy of any appointed chief minister. The situation is further complicated by Muhriz's recent stripping of royal honors from senior opposition figure Rais Yatim, who was implicated in the revolt against the throne.

This internal power struggle has had broader political ramifications. The UMNO-led Barisan Nasional withdrew support for the incumbent chief minister, Aminuddin Harun, citing his alleged interference in royal affairs. This led to the dissolution of the state legislature and the call for snap elections, highlighting the deep entanglement of royal succession and political maneuvering in Negeri Sembilan.

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Complaints about the Undang from the Jelebu Luak date back to 2022 and there was even a representation this week. Therefore, if a new chief minister was selected with Maarof in attendance, the appointment’s legitimacy would come into question as the Luak has already made known that he no longer leads them.