Anwar reaffirms no government interference in Negeri Sembilan royal succession

PENDANG, KEDAH, 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today dismissed any suggestion of government involvement in the dispute over Negeri Sembilan’s Yang Dipertuan Besar, insisting the matter must be resolved strictly under the Constitution and state law.

Speaking at a Sebarkan Salam event in Pendang, Anwar said the federal government would not intervene in the state assembly’s decision on the royal institution’s leadership. “I said I am not interfering,” he said. “The Undangs made a decision. There are parties supporting them and giving their views, and there is no problem with that.”

His comments follow weeks of political tension in Negeri Sembilan, where elected state representatives have challenged the incumbent ruler’s legitimacy. The dispute centres on whether the state’s constitutional provisions allow for the removal of a ruler without federal approval. Anwar stressed that any action against a ruler must comply with constitutional safeguards, warning that arbitrary decisions could undermine the country’s constitutional monarchy system.

“Discuss it amicably,” he said. “I do not agree with overthrowing a Ruler so easily. Our system cannot work that way, which is why the Constitution is very clear.”

Anwar highlighted the limits of the prime minister’s authority, noting that the federal government cannot amend constitutional provisions related to Islam, the Malay language, Malay rights, or the royal institution. “The principle must be defended,” he said, “to ensure the constitutional monarchy system is not eroded by actions that do not follow constitutional channels.”

The prime minister also warned that divisions over the monarchy risk weakening national unity. “If we, as Malays, are divided even over the Malay Rulers as a pillar of our system, how can we expect others to respect us?” he said. “Hatred, anger, and differences of opinion have caused us to lose our judgement.”

Separately, Anwar announced an additional RM2.8 million allocation to repair basic infrastructure at 14 Islamic educational institutions across Kedah, reinforcing his administration’s focus on social welfare amid political challenges. The funding marks the latest in a series of allocations aimed at supporting education and community development.

Related: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim · Pendang, Kedah