KUALA LUMPUR - The Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council has acted beyond its legal powers by suspending the duties of the State Secretary (SUK) and the State Legal Adviser, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) declared today.
In a sharp rebuke of the state government's decision, the AGC clarified that disciplinary actions and appointment matters for both high-ranking positions rest solely with federal authorities—namely the Public Services Commission and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission—as mandated under Article 37 of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution 1959 (UUTKNS).
"On the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar's Sept 22, 2026 media statement suspending the SUK and state legal adviser with immediate effect, this department is of the view that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council has no legal authority to do so," the AGC said in a statement.
The AGC further stressed that any attempt to name a replacement must adhere strictly to established constitutional frameworks, noting that the appointment of a new state legal adviser must comply with Article 37 of the UUTKNS, "namely appointment by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission from among members of the Judicial and Legal Service."
The federal agency's intervention comes hours after Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim announced the immediate suspension of SUK Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and State Legal Adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal.
Following the controversial suspension, Ismail announced that State Financial Officer Datuk Masri Razali would step in to perform the duties of the SUK until the Chief Secretary to the Government makes a fresh appointment.
Additionally, Ismail named advocate and solicitor Fahmi Adilah to temporarily handle state legal advisory matters until a formal appointment is finalized by the AGC. - September 23, 2026
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