SEREMBAN: Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim will continue performing his role as Negri Sembilan state secretary despite Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim's effort to suspend him.
Mohd Zafir said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar had directed him to continue serving as usual.
"The Chief Secretary has ordered me to report to work as usual. As a Federal employee based in Negri Sembilan, I must adhere to the order," he said, adding that he was not at his office in Wisma Negri on Wednesday (Sept 23) as he had official work elsewhere.
Mohd Zafir said he had also consulted the state legal advisor and was told his suspension was invalid.
He also said Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar had stated that both Muzalmah's and his suspensions were unlawful.
On Tuesday (Sept 22), Ismail announced the suspension of Mohd Zafir and state legal advisor Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal following a state exco meeting.
Ismail said state financial officer Datuk Masri Razali would perform the duties of state secretary until a new appointment is made by the Chief Secretary to the Government and that Fahmi Adilah would carry out the duties of state legal adviser until someone else is appointed by the Attorney General's Chambers.
"Based on guidelines and the Chief Secretary's instructions, I will continue to serve.
"I have also not received any official letter regarding the suspension of my duties, other than the statement issued by the Mentri Besar," he said.
On Sept 17, Mohd Zafir said he would not proceed with the state exco's directive to gazette an April 19 proclamation on the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as state Ruler, stating such an action was unconstitutional and invalid.
He said his decision was also in line with the advice of the Attorney General's Chambers that the statement issued by members of the state exco affirming the legitimacy of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir's removal as Yang di-Pertuan Besar had no legal effect.
The April 19 proclamation also sought to recognise Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar with immediate effect.
