N Sembilan crisis deepens as exco suspends state secretary, legal adviser

The Negeri Sembilan constitutional crisis deepened today after the state executive council decided to suspend state secretary Zafir Ibrahim and state legal adviser Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal with immediate effect.

Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim announced the decision in a statement this evening, naming state financial officer Masri Razali as acting state secretary and lawyer Fahmi Adilah as acting state legal adviser, pending permanent replacements by the chief secretary to the federal government and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, respectively.

The decision came just days after Zafir (below, left) refused to gazette or implement the disputed April 19 proclamation recognising Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar, replacing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

"The notice of suspension of the Negeri Sembilan state secretary will be conveyed to the chief secretary to the government and the Public Service Department.

"Subsequently, the notice of suspension of the state legal adviser will be conveyed to the AGC," Ismail said.

The menteri besar also reiterated that exco members' appointments remain valid.

"At the same time, the Negeri Sembilan administration will continue to function as usual, and its responsibilities to the people will continue to be carried out to the best of its ability," Ismail added.

Yesterday, Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of all 10 exco members, except for Ismail. The palace also expected the menteri besar to present Tuanku Muhriz with a list of new exco members.

This was for the exco members' violation of their oath of allegiance to the ruler when they decided to recognise, on Sept 16, a proclamation by the state's rebel chieftain faction appointing Tunku Nadzaruddin as Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

However, the AGC responded by saying the exco's decision to remove Tuanku Muhriz is invalid, arguing that the menteri besar and exco do not have unilateral powers to terminate or vacate the ruler’s office.

It stressed that the proclamation’s validity and effect must be determined through lawful constitutional and legal processes.

Following this, Zafir's office on Sept 18 said it accepted the AGC's advice and would not gazette or implement the proclamation.

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