SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Exco has been barred from entering Wisma Negeri and holding its meetings under a verbal directive from "the authorities", says Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim.
He said the directive, in force since Wednesday, also prevents Exco members from carrying out their duties.
"I was informed that the Exco members are not allowed to enter Wisma Negeri, cannot carry out their functions as exco, and cannot hold Exco meetings," he told a press conference on Thursday (Sept 24).
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"I feel this is not appropriate because there is no court order."
Ismail, who said he had not been blocked himself, declined to name the authority behind the directive and insisted that his exco line-up remained valid.
Ismail declined to name the party that issued the directive, referring to it only as "the authorities", and said he was not aware of any written instruction.
He said he had not been blocked himself and that the Exco members had not been told to return their official vehicles.
Ismail urged the authorities to urgently review the directive, including its basis and scope, as the dispute over the Exco's status had yet to be resolved.
"This request is made through proper channels, without preventing the authorities from carrying out their security responsibilities.
"I call on all parties to give the state government and the legal process room to resolve this dispute," he said.
He said blocking the Exco from meeting amounted to denying the people their rights, as the meetings dealt with development allocations and aid for the public.
"If this is held up without reasonable grounds and without a court order, it is a denial of the people's rights, when we are the legitimate government," he said.
Ismail maintained that he was never consulted and never advised the termination of any Exco member under Article 38(5) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959.
"The existing exco is still valid and will carry out its duties as usual," he said, adding that any process to invalidate their positions would be a serious matter.
He said he stood by his media statement of Sept 21, in which he declared the revocation of the Exco appointments invalid.
