SHAH ALAM - Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim did not have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Hinggap on Thursday.
This was confirmed by Menteri Besar’s Press Secretary Mohd Fasha Musthafa to Sinar via WhatsApp.
"Today, the Menteri Besar did not have an audience with the ruler. He is carrying out his usual duties," he said briefly.
Sinar previously reported that Ismail were said to have an audience with Tuanku Muhriz.
The speculation arose as the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly sitting and the tabling of the state budget were scheduled for the end of next month, making it important for Ismail to seek the ruler’s consent for the sitting date.
Traditionally, a Menteri Besar is also expected to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar to brief the ruler and seek his views and initial consent on the budget’s contents and direction.
However, questions arose over whether Tuanku Muhriz would agree to receive Ismail following the latter’s signing of a proclamation stating that the ruler was no longer the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
Previously, a video showing Tuanku Muhriz publicly reprimanding Ismail went viral after the ruler arrived to perform Friday prayers at a mosque in Kuala Pilah.