SEREMBAN – The lawyer representing the Undang Yang Empat, including the disputed Undang, has insisted there was no element of coercion against Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim in getting him to sign the proclamation document dismissing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on Aug 3.
Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz said that before signing the document, Ismail had first been briefed on the need for him to sign it under Article 10(1)(b) of the Negeri Sembilan Laws of the Constitution 1959.
He said the proceedings were also conducted in a relaxed atmosphere, with no pressure whatsoever placed on the Menteri Besar.
"On Aug 3, 2026, at around 8pm, all the Dato' Undang of Jelebu, Undang Johol, Undang Rembau, Tunku Besar Tampin and Dato' Shahbandar Sungei Ujong, representing Dato' Klana Undang Luak Sungai Ujong, were present at Istana Laguna Biru, Port Dickson for a dinner with Tunku Nazruddin Tuanku Jaafar.
"Then at 10pm, the Menteri Besar arrived with his lawyer, Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, after which the Dato'-Dato' Undang explained their decision to dismiss Tuanku Muhriz and briefed him on the proclamation instrument requiring his signature," he said at a press conference at the Tuanku Jaafar Royal Gallery to lay out the chronology of events that took place at Istana Laguna Biru on Aug 3.
He said Ismail then indicated his agreement to sign the proclamation, which was also witnessed by his lawyer.
Khairul therefore suggested it was possible other parties had pressured the Menteri Besar into claiming he had been forced to do so.
"We wish to state that the Menteri Besar acted to sign the proclamation voluntarily and without coercion, and in the presence of his own lawyer.
"His statement that he was forced to sign the proclamation is therefore an afterthought and nothing occurred that night that could point to any element of duress in his decision," he said.
He added that under the law, coercion under Section 506 of the Penal Code involves threats to a person's life or threats of injury or loss of property.
Khairul said the Menteri Besar therefore needed to prove such elements existed to the extent that he was forced to sign the proclamation.
He also confirmed that the gathering was not attended by other Umno leaders, including Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Sinar previously reported that the palace crisis in Negeri Sembilan was expected to worsen after the Undang Yang Empat, including the disputed Undang, produced a document alleged to be the proclamation dismissing Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, said to have been signed by Ismail.
However, Ismail has claimed he was forced to sign the proclamation instrument dismissing Tuanku Muhriz.
He said a police report on the matter had been lodged to allow the authorities to carry out further investigation.
He said the proclamation instrument was signed without his consent and under duress.
"I lodged a police report at around 6pm on Sept 8 to allow investigations to be carried out by the authorities," he said.