5 reps linked to speculation on new Negeri Sembilan exco

Four Barisan Nasional assemblymen and one from Perikatan Nasional component Wawasan have been linked to speculation over a new Negeri Sembilan executive council.

This follows the decision of Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir to revoke the appointments of 10 exco members yesterday.

Kosmo reported that the four BN assemblymen speculated to be frontrunners to take over the exco roles are Umno’s Saiful Yazan Sulaiman (Johol), Sufian Maradzi (Seri Menanti) and Zaidy Abdul Kadir (Jeram Padang), as well as MCA’s Koh Kim Swee (Repah).

The Wawasan representative linked to the speculation is two-term Gemas assemblyman Ridzuan Ahmad.

They were reportedly summoned for an audience at Istana Besar Seri Menanti last Friday.

Yesterday, the Negeri Sembilan palace said Tuanku Muhriz decided to sack the 10 state exco members for violating their oath of office and pledge of allegiance before the Yang Dipertuan Besar on Aug 7.

Of the 10, seven were from Umno and one each from MCA, Wawasan and PAS.

Under the state’s constitution, the menteri besar and executive councillors hold office at the pleasure of the ruler.

Last week, the exco released a joint statement purportedly affirming Tuanku Muhriz’s removal as Yang Dipertuan Besar. Menteri besar Ismail Lasim endorsed the statement a day later.

The Negeri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang dismissed the statement as unconstitutional and invalid, saying Tuanku Muhriz remained the state’s ruler.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers also said the statement had no legal effect as the menteri besar and his exco do not have the power to unilaterally vacate the state ruler’s position.