Peguam negara berhak ulas krisis N Sembilan, kata pakar undang-undang

Perlembagaan Negeri Sembilan's top legal advisor, Aziz Bari, has stated that it is inappropriate to accuse the Attorney-General, Dusuki Mokhtar, of interfering in the state's crisis as the public is eager to know the truth. The Attorney-General's office denied a proclamation claiming it aimed to remove Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang Di Pertuan Besar, stating the proclamation is invalid and the Chief Minister and exco do not have unilateral power to dismiss the government.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized Chief Minister Ismail Lasim and former exco members for the controversy involving the royal institution. Four state legislators, including three whose appointments are disputed, and Tunku Besar Tampin urged Anwar and the Attorney-General to refrain from interfering in state affairs, particularly matters concerning the exclusive powers of their constitutional bodies.

While Article 10 and 11 of the State Constitution give them exclusive powers to appoint and remove the Chief Minister, they cannot be interpreted in isolation, as Article 10 and 11 are part of a larger community. Aziz emphasized that the constitution is designed for normalcy and handling situations without crisis, but the current Negeri Sembilan crisis has reached a point where the system is reversed, and conflict cannot be expected from provisions or constitutional frameworks.

The Attorney-General's claim of Anwar as an "angkuh" (traitor) for accusing him of interfering may violate oath of office under Schedule 6 of the Constitution, breach trust under Article 71(1) and (2), and the concept of federalism. The issue now is whether the public is witnessing the correct way of executing state power. Aziz believes the federal government or the federal authorities have a moral responsibility to ensure the unity of the federation.