Umno denies involvement in Negeri Sembilan royal crisis

The controversy has put the new Umno-led state government under pressure barely six weeks after taking office, reviving the same royal crisis that helped bring down its predecessor and force a snap election in August.

The episode is particularly sensitive for Umno, which has long cast itself as a defender of Malaysia’s Malay rulers. State monarchs retain important constitutional powers, including in the appointment of chief ministers.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also Malaysia’s deputy prime minister, said late on Wednesday that he was not present when his fellow party member Ismail Lasim, the head of Negeri Sembilan’s government, signed a purported proclamation seeking the removal of ruler Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

“I was not there. Ismail himself has denied this,” Zahid told reporters at Umno’s annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur. He also rejected speculation that Ismail had quit.

Zahid said Umno would “not dirty our hands” in the dispute and questioned Ismail’s claim that he was forced to sign the proclamation.