Former Negeri Sembilan exco has no authority to suspend duo, says AGC

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has clarified that the former Negeri Sembilan executive council lacks the authority to suspend the state secretary and state legal adviser, as per Article 37 of the state constitution. The AGC further explained that appointments and suspensions involving the state secretary and legal adviser fall under the jurisdiction of the public services commission and judicial and legal service commission, respectively.

Earlier, Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim had convened a special executive council meeting to suspend Zafir Ibrahim from his role as state secretary and Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal from her position as legal adviser. He also appointed Masli Razali and Fahmi Adilah to temporarily fill those roles. Ismail subsequently informed the chief secretary to the government and the public services department about the suspensions.

This decision transpired after the Negeri Sembilan state administration opted not to proceed with the menteri besar's request to gazette a proclamation regarding the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang Dipertuan Besar. Following Ismail's announcement, the Rembau undang's lawyer contended that the executive council meeting that led to the suspensions was invalid, citing that the remaining nine exco members had their appointments revoked by Tuanku Muhriz on the same day.