SEREMBAN: Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim will continue his duty as state secretary despite being suspended by Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim.
Mohd Zafir said the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, has directed him to serve as usual.
“As a federal employee based in Negri Sembilan, I must adhere to the order.”
Mohd Zafir, however, said that he was not in the office yesterday, as he had official work elsewhere.
On Tuesday, the Mentri Besar announced the suspension of Mohd Zafir and state legal adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal, following a decision made at a special exco meeting.
State financial officer Datuk Masri Razali would perform the duties of state secretary until the Chief Secretary to the Government appoints someone new.
Lawyer Fahmi Adilah will be acting as legal adviser until a new state legal adviser is appointed by the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Mohd Zafir said he would continue his duties as Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar had also stated that both Muzalmah’s and his suspensions were unlawful.
“Based on the guidelines and the Chief Secretary’s instructions, I will continue to serve.
“Other than the Mentri Besar’s statement, I have also not received any official letter regarding the suspension of my duties,” he said.
On Sept 17, Mohd Zafir had said he will not proceed with a directive from the state exco to gazette an April 19 proclamation on the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the state Ruler, saying that such an action would be invalid and unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, it was reported that it was also work as usual for Muzalmah, who said that she did not receive official notification on her suspension.
She was quoted as saying that she would abide by instructions from the Attorney-General to remain in Negri Sembilan and to serve the state.
