KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 8 -- Negeri Sembilan has been thrust again into its unprecedented constitutional crisis, with claims that new Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim allegedly signed a proclamation to depose the state's ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, just one day after swearing an oath of allegiance to him.

According to The Straits Times, the explosive allegation was made public in a September 5 statement by the state's four traditional ruling chieftains, the Undang Yang Empat, who possess customary authority under Adat Perpatih to elect and - they claim - dismiss the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

When pressed on the allegations on September 6, Ismail did not directly deny signing the decree, stating only that "the four Undang have the righ...