KUALA LUMPUR, October 19, 2026 – The Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) and its secretary, Raja Norazli Raja Nordin, have filed a fresh application at the Seremban High Court seeking permission to initiate contempt-of-court proceedings against Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim and 16 others.
The application was filed on Oct 16 through their solicitors, Messrs Halim & Ismail, following a series of developments linked to the ongoing dispute over the position of Negeri Sembilan’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
In a statement issued on Monday, the DKU and Raja Norazli said the application followed a decision by the state executive council on Sept 15, which was reflected in a statement issued the following day, as well as a letter sent by Ismail to the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal on Sept 17.
The letter reportedly stated that the executive council had validated the removal of Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The development prompted the DKU to accuse the then executive council of treason and attempting a coup against the ruler.
The statement also said Ismail announced on Sept 22 the purported suspension of the state secretary and state legal adviser.
According to the DKU and Raja Norazli, their solicitors had written to the parties concerned on Sept 16, stating that the actions in question were believed to have breached an interim injunction issued by the High Court on June 5.
They said the application for permission to initiate contempt proceedings was now pending before the court, with the allegations set out in the applications and supporting affidavits.
Among the 17 individuals named in the application are Ismail, the Undang of Jelebu Datuk Maarof Mat Rashid, the Undang of Johol Datuk Muhammed Abdullah and the Undang of Rembau Datuk Abd Rahim Yasin.
The list also includes Datuk Mubarak Thahak, whose position as Undang of Sungai Ujong is disputed, Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al Qadri, and Datuk Seri Badarudin Abdul Khalid, the Datuk Shahbandar of Sungai Ujong.
Ten former state executive council members are also named in the application, including Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli, Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris, Datuk Mustapha Nagoor, Siow Kong Choon, Siti Nur Umaira Hasim, Datuk Mohd Azna Amin, Datuk Mohd Razi Mohd Ali, Suhaimizan Bizar, Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa and Datuk Razali Abu Samah.
The legal action forms part of a wider dispute concerning the state’s royal succession and the authority of the DKU.
The June 5 interim injunction was issued to preserve the status quo concerning the DKU and Raja Norazli’s position as its secretary while the court considers issues relating to its jurisdiction and the justiciability of the dispute.
The latest application seeks the court’s permission to begin contempt proceedings. The allegations have yet to be determined by the court.
-New Straits Times.
