SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan constitutional stand-off has worsened after the state government suspended state secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and legal adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal.
Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the decision to suspend the duo was made unanimously at a special meeting of the state executive council yesterday.
Their suspensions took immediate effect.
Ismail said state financial officer Datuk Masri Razali would perform the duties of the state secretary until a new one is appointed by the Chief Secretary to the Government.
“Meanwhile, the task of providing legal advice will be carried out by lawyer Fahmi Adilah until a new state legal adviser is appointed by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC),” he added.
Ismail said Mohd Zafir’s suspension notice would be sent to the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Public Service Department, while the AGC would be notified of Muzalmah’s.
The statement, however, did not give reasons for the suspensions.
Ismail also maintained that his exco line-up remained in office, despite Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir revoking the appointments of all 10 exco members.
“I also confirm that all positions of state executive council members remain intact and valid,” he said, adding that the state administration would continue to function as usual.
Meanwhile, the Mentri Besar and his exco team will meet with Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar at the Tuanku Ja’afar Gallery at 9am today.
In an invitation, the media was told the event was an “ice-breaking” session to strengthen ties between Tunku Nadzaruddin, Mentri Besar and the exco members.
Also expected to attend the meeting are the Undang Yang Empat (four ruling chiefs), the Tunku Besar of Tampin and the Dato’ Shahbandar of Sungei Ujong.
The ruling chiefs and the Tunku Besar Tampin had proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan on June 5.
On Sept 20, Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of the exco members after they were found to have violated their oath of office by agreeing to the Ruler’s removal as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, said the Negri Sembilan Palace.
The following day, Ismail said the exco will continue to function normally despite the order from Tuanku Muhriz, pointing out that any action to dismiss an exco member’s tenure without the Mentri Besar’s advice or request constitutes a legal error, is unconstitutional and holds no legal force.
Ismail said the state government will continue to defend the supremacy of the Constitution to ensure that administrative stability and the people’s mandate are always preserved in accordance with the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General Chambers said the state exco has no power to suspend the state secretary and the legal adviser.
“Matters pertaining to the appointment and suspension of the two positions come under the Public Service Commission and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, as stated in Article 37 of the state Constitution,” the AGC said in a statement late last night.
The AGC also said the appointment of a new state legal adviser must be in accordance with state laws, appointed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission and the person must also be a member of the Judicial and Legal Service.
