SEPANG – The fighting spirit of Datuk Siamang Gagap, who defended Yamtuan Antah in the past, has inspired his great-grandson to stand up and declare his commitment to defending the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, amidst the ongoing crisis.
The Negeri Sembilan Otai Reformasi Organisation (Profans) president Muhamad Kamel Yassin said that he, alongside the people of Negeri Sembilan, pledged to defend the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, as well as the customs and laws that form the bedrock of the state's identity.
He said that this stance was taken with full awareness and responsibility to ensure that the traditions serving as the backbone of Negeri Sembilan's identity continue to be preserved.
"Just as Datuk Siamang Gagap defended Yamtuan Antah, today his own great-grandson will defend Tuanku Muhriz. We pledge unconditionally to defend this institution, stretching from Tampin, Rembau, and Jelebu all the way to Seremban," he told Sinar at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Thursday.
Prior to that, Kamel also took the opportunity to read an oath of allegiance to Tuanku Muhriz.
Kamel added that his party rejects any actions alleged to be in breach of the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negri Sembilan (UUTKNS) 1959. He noted that under the state constitution, specific conditions must be met before a Yang di-Pertuan Besar can be removed from office.
"Therefore, we have stepped forward to defend Tuanku Muhriz because we believe this institution must be respected and any crisis should be resolved through legitimate channels," he emphasised.
Kamel added that hundreds of supporters gathered to express their support and welcome Tuanku Muhriz home. He viewed the turnout as just the beginning, anticipating even greater support from the people of Negeri Sembilan moving forward.
"This is only the start. We will give our all to defend Tuanku Muhriz. Insya-Allah, we will see a much larger wave of support after this," he said.
He also said that a gathering has been planned at the Seri Menanti Mosque following Friday prayers, with further actions to continue from time to time.