Negeri Sembilan MB Ismail Lasim disputes Tuanku Muhriz’s power to revoke Exco appointments amid a deepening constitutional dispute
SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has disputed the legality of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir’s decision to revoke the appointments of the state executive councillors (Exco).
In a statement, Ismail said the Yang di-Pertuan Besar could not unilaterally terminate an Exco member’s tenure, arguing that such action must be made on the advice or request of the Menteri Besar.
He said this was based on his reading of the relevant provisions of the Negeri Sembilan Constitution governing the powers of the ruler and the appointment of Exco members.
“Any termination or change to the Exco line-up while the administration is in place can only take effect on the advice or official request of the Menteri Besar,” he said.
Ismail said he had never been consulted or advised on the dismissal of any Exco member.
“As such, there is no need to submit a new list of Exco members as the existing Exco remains valid and will continue to carry out their duties as usual,” he said.
The statement came after the Negeri Sembilan palace announced late yesterday that Tuanku Muhriz had revoked the appointments of the state Exco members, with immediate effect.
The palace said the decision followed a finding that the Exco members had breached their oath of office, which they took and signed before the ruler on Aug 7.
It cited Article XXXVIII(5) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959, which provides that an Exco member, other than the Menteri Besar, holds office at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The palace also said the affected Exco members had been informed individually through letters and that Ismail was required to present a new list of candidates for the ruler’s consideration and consent under Article XXXVIII(2).
The latest development comes amid a deepening constitutional dispute after the state Exco unanimously endorsed a proclamation on Sept 15 declaring Tuanku Muhriz no longer the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Ismail subsequently confirmed the decision and said the State Secretary had been instructed to proceed with gazetting the proclamation.
However, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has said the April 19 proclamation concerning Tuanku Muhriz’s position was invalid, saying it did not comply with the mandatory requirements under Article 10 of the state Constitution.
The AGC also said the Menteri Besar and State Exco did not have unilateral power to depose or vacate the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) has separately reiterated that Tuanku Muhriz remains the lawful ruler of Negeri Sembilan, saying the State Exco and state government had no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the proclamation or the ruler’s position.
