Datuk Ismail Lasim is the most catastrophic Menteri Besar (MB) in history, and quite possibly the one with the shortest tenure; the extent of his absurdity is matched only by how brief his term will likely be.

After the Negeri Sembilan state election was concluded, he was sworn in as Menteri Besar before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on Aug 2.

This was the jackpot of his lifetime. Ismail was neither the campaign leader for Negeri Sembilan nor the chief of Negeri Sembilan Umno. He wasn’t even a standout figure in state politics—at best, just a senior assemblyman.

He once admitted that he had never dreamed of becoming Menteri Besar, hoping only to serve as the State Legislative Assembly Speaker if Barisan Nasional won. Yet, defying all odds, he unexpectedly landed the role of MB—a stroke of immense good fortune.

However, a gift from the heavens rarely comes without a price.

Recently, four Undangs/former Undangs held a press conference announcing that on August 3—just one day after taking his oath—Ismail signed a proclamation agreeing to depose Tuanku Muhriz. They also met with the “shadow ruler,” Tengku Nazaruddin (the youngest son of the former Yang di-Pertuan Besar), endorsing Ismail to be appointed as MB.

The proclamation was produced with Ismail’s signature.

This sent shockwaves through Negeri Sembilan and gripped the entire nation.

A newly appointed MB who had just sworn allegiance to Tuanku turned right around to join the opposing camp and agreed to depose him. Is this not treason—and executed in the most clumsy way possible?

Ismail did not dispute the authenticity of the document. Instead, he claimed he signed it reluctantly under duress. Maintaining that he remains loyal to Tuanku Muhriz, he lodged a police report.

This response is baffling and raises three major questions:

1. As Menteri Besar, he holds substantial power. The four undangs/former undangs and Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar hold no actual power—how could they possibly coerce an MB? Or was someone else pulling the strings?
2. If coercion truly took place, in what manner was he threatened?
3. If he was coerced, why didn’t Ismail report it immediately instead of waiting a month until the scandal was exposed?

Ismail offered no answers to these doubts.

Right at this juncture, The Straits Times, a newspaper in Singapore, published an exclusive report citing sources that Ismail was not alone when meeting the four undangs/former undangs; he was accompanied by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Following the report, Zahid, Asyraf, and Azalina promptly denied attending the meeting. Ismail also denied Zahid’s presence.

To date, The Straits Times has not retracted the report, nor have the three Umno leaders demanded an apology or retraction.

Is Ismail’s claim of coercion connected to Umno?

From how events have unfolded so far, one thing is clear: Ismail committed a massive and exceedingly foolish mistake.

Regardless of the circumstances, Tuanku Muhriz remains the legitimate Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and Ismail’s position as MB was granted by him.

 Legally and morally, challenging Tuanku’s authority was an absolute line he should never have crossed.

Yet, Ismail is a lawyer by training and a veteran in politics. For him to make such a severe legal and political blunder cannot simply be chalked up to ignorance or stupidity.

The real world of politics is complex, if not dark. For Ismail to reach this point, there must be more to the story.

On August 3, he was likely set up and walked straight into a trap.

Ismail’s days as Menteri Besar are almost certainly numbered. Having effectively committed treason, how could he retain the ruler’s trust?

On Umno’s side, Zahid has demanded an explanation regarding the coercion claim.

Furthermore, at the Umno General Assembly, Zahid conspicuously praised Umno Negeri Sembilan chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias—who holds real local power—for his contributions, which can be seen as a slap in the face for Ismail.

Ismail’s current predicament stems partly from his own ignorance, and partly from the fact that he was never the MB Umno wanted in the first place.

He holds only one remaining card: the unspoken secret.

Keeping quiet might temporarily save his seat; but if forced to go public, it could expose even more shadowy figures and scandals.

(Tay Tian Yan is the deputy executive editor-in-chief of Sin Chew Daily.)