KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 14 -- Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has taken steps this week to affirm the status of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang di-Pertuan Besar, in a development that may finally see an end to the state's seven-month-long constitutional crisis.

The state government is currently in virtual paralysis, with Ismail the sole member of the executive, as his executive council members were earlier dismissed by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar for breaching their oath of office and loyalty.

Ismail urgently needs to convene a state assembly meeting to approve the state Budget, or face the possibility of an unprecedented halt to government and administrative services if funding is not approved by the legislature.

But he...