Sacked Negeri Sembilan excos seek Federal Court ruling on ruler’s powers

The 10 sacked Negeri Sembilan state executive council members have applied to the Federal Court to determine whether the Yang Dipertuan Besar can revoke their appointments without the menteri besar’s advice.

The application challenges the revocation of their appointments by Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, which took effect on Sept 20.

The applicants are Faizal Ramli, Zaifulbahri Idris, Mustapha Nagoor, Siow Kong Choon, Siti Nur Umairah Hashim, Asna Amin, Razi Ali, Suhaimizan Bizar, Fairuz Isa and Razali Abu Samah.

In a notice of motion filed on Oct 14, they sought a determination on the constitutionality of the revocations, which were gazetted on Sept 24.

They want the apex court to declare the revocations null and void if they are found to have contravened the state constitution.

The application named the Negeri Sembilan state secretary and the state government as the first and second respondents.

The applicants are also seeking clarification on whether the phrase “at the ruler’s pleasure” in the state constitution gives the ruler unrestricted power to revoke such appointments, regardless of other constitutional provisions governing the exercise of royal powers.

Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of the 10 exco members after they claimed in statements and through their actions that his removal in April was legitimate and that Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar was the new ruler.

The palace deemed their actions inconsistent with their oath to remain loyal to the ruler and the royal institution.