A POLITICAL rift has emerged at the top of the unity government as Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed contrasting views over an unprecedented royal crisis in Negeri Sembilan.
The friction began after Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim and his state executive council announced a unanimous decision to endorse the dethroning of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Speaking while travelling on a high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou, a visibly displeased Anwar slammed the state administration’s move as “rude, uncivilised, and unacceptable”.
“Menteri Besar and the executive council who made this decision — this is a rude step, uncivilised, and I strongly object,” he said.
Anwar stressed that state leaders possess no mandate to alter the position of the Ruler and emphasised that the Federal Government would uphold national security and institutional dignity, noting that any action by the Undangs (Customary Chiefs) must strictly follow constitutional bounds.
However, Zahid offered a starkly different tone while speaking at an event in Ayer Keroh, cautioning against rushed judgements.
Without explicitly naming Anwar, the Deputy PM urged leaders not to label actions as “disloyal” or “rude” without fully grasping the legal and constitutional nuances involved.
“Do not label something as disloyal or rude before understanding the circumstances,” he said.
“The primary task of the leadership is to untangle complexities with knowledge and wisdom while upholding the dignity of institutions, not to speak without manners or civility.”
Zahid advocated a measured approach, arguing that national leadership’s primary duty is to untangle complex customary and state disputes with wisdom and dignity rather than public castigation.
The exchange highlights growing internal friction between the two top leaders as the Federal Government navigates a sensitive constitutional standoff involving royal authority, customary law, and state power. — Sept 26, 2026
