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

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

The AGC made this clarification in a statement following the announcement by Negeri Sembilan's menteri besar, Ismail Lasim, who had convened a special executive committee meeting to suspend Zafir Ibrahim and Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal from their roles as state secretary and legal adviser, respectively. The AGC emphasized that the state secretary's suspension would be communicated to the chief secretary to the government and the public services department, while the legal adviser's suspension would be informed to the AGC.

This development follows Negeri Sembilan's decision not to proceed with the gazetting of a proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang Dipertuan Besar. A lawyer for the Rembau undang has challenged the validity of the executive committee meeting that led to the suspensions, citing that several exco members' appointments were revoked by Tuanku Muhriz on Sunday.