Ahmad Zahid Rejects Claims of External Interference in Negeri Sembilan MB Appointment

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has rejected claims that external parties interfered in the appointment of Datuk Ismail Lasim as the new Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the national chairman of Barisan Nasional, said he would not entertain statements made by individuals who failed to understand the political and constitutional process behind the appointment.

He explained that it was his responsibility as BN chairman to submit the official appointment letter and proposed candidate’s name to the Negeri Sembilan palace for consideration.

According to Ahmad Zahid, carrying out that responsibility should not be interpreted as interference by an outsider because he represents the coalition at the national level.

His remarks appeared to respond to earlier questions surrounding Ismail’s appointment, including allegations that parties outside Negeri Sembilan had become involved in matters linked to the state’s customs and constitutional arrangements.

Ismail previously denied those allegations and defended the process that led to his appointment as Menteri Besar. Reports said the claims had been raised publicly by Wawasan chairman Tan Sri Rais Yatim.

Ahmad Zahid said the candidate’s name had to be formally presented to the palace and that he was required to perform the task on behalf of BN.

He argued that describing the national BN chairman as an external party showed a misunderstanding of the coalition’s structure and the realities of Malaysian politics.

Ismail was appointed after retaining the Juasseh state seat in the Negeri Sembilan election.

Before the appointment, Ahmad Zahid said three possible candidates had been submitted to the palace. BN and Perikatan Nasional subsequently formed the new state government after securing a combined majority of 25 seats in the 36-member State Legislative Assembly.

Ismail later took the oath of office before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.

The appointment attracted political attention because of Negeri Sembilan’s distinctive constitutional and customary structure, which gives traditional institutions an important role in state affairs.

Ahmad Zahid’s response emphasised that the appointment process remained subject to the authority and consideration of the state palace.

He made the remarks during a press conference after attending the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya on Thursday.