Palace says attendance at Conference of Rulers meeting does not require invitation

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

The Royal Palace of Negeri Sembilan has denied reports that the state’s ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, received a formal invitation to attend the Council of Rulers meeting, clarifying that attendance at such sessions does not require an invitation.

The statement further noted that Tuanku Muhriz did not receive any letter or invitation document from the meeting’s chair, the Sultan of Perak, for the Pre-Council Meeting.

The Palace explained that Tuanku Muhriz decided not to attend the meeting to focus on state affairs, specifically the Istiadat Menzahirkan Kejadian Undang Luak Jelebu ceremony. The statement emphasized that the Palace had not previously issued any media statement regarding this matter to any party or media outlet.

The denial follows a report by Singapore’s The Straits Times, which stated that Tuanku Muhriz was invited to the Council of Rulers meeting scheduled for October 13 to 15. The newspaper reported that the invitation was issued by Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak, who will preside over the session at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. The report suggested that the invitation indicated Tuanku Muhriz remained the recognized ruler of Negeri Sembilan.

The Straits Times also reported that Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar was not invited to the meeting, despite efforts to secure an invitation for him to replace Tuanku Muhriz. These efforts reportedly involved the disputed Undang Yang Empat and Negeri Sembilan’s Chief Minister, Ismail Lasim. Tunku Nadzaruddin had previously been declared the Yang di-Pertuan Besar by the aforementioned Undang group.

The Palace’s clarification serves to correct the public record regarding the protocol for the Council of Rulers and the specific circumstances surrounding the Negeri Sembilan ruler’s absence. By stating that no invitation was received and that attendance is not invitation-based, the Palace underscores the procedural norms of the institution. The decision to prioritize state ceremonial duties over the federal council meeting highlights the balance between local royal obligations and national constitutional roles.

The upcoming meeting in Kuala Lumpur will proceed with Sultan Nazrin Shah presiding, while the status of the Negeri Sembilan throne remains a subject of ongoing public and political attention due to the competing claims mentioned in the initial reports.