Those present included Mubarak Dohak, the former undang of Sungai Ujong, Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Muhammad Abdullah (Johol), Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau), Tunku Besar Tampin Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al Qadri, and Sungei Ujong’s Syahbandar Baharudin Abdul Khalid.

The meeting began at about 3.30pm and ended at about 6pm. Vehicles carrying the leaders were later seen leaving the venue.

Met by the media, Muhammad said the meeting was routine.

“Just a family discussion,” he said briefly before leaving the hall.

The Negeri Sembilan crisis arose after Mubarak announced the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar on April 19 with the three other undangs.

However, menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said the state government did not recognise Tuanku Muhriz’s removal, as Mubarak had been lawfully removed as undang on May 13 last year for contravening 33 customary laws.

Following that, all 14 Umno assemblymen announced they had withdrawn support for Aminuddin as the menteri besar, saying it was linked to the crisis involving the chieftains and Tuanku Muhriz.

Negeri Sembilan Barisan Nasional later claimed it had a simple majority in the 36-seat assembly to form the state government, with the support of Perikatan Nasional’s five assemblymen.

The undangs are traditional chieftains of four customary districts: Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau. Together, they play a key role in appointing and removing the state’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar.