Negeri Sembilan exco overstepped its powers by suspending two top officials, says AGC

The Attorney General’s Chambers says the Negeri Sembilan executive council’s suspensions of its state secretary and state legal adviser have no legal basis. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 8:43 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has stated that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council has no legal authority to suspend the duties of the state secretary (SUK) and state legal adviser.

In a statement yesterday, the AGC said appointment matters, including the suspension of duties for both positions, fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Services Commission and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission respectively, as stipulated under Article 37 of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution 1959 (UUTKNS).

“On the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar’s Sept 22, 2026 media statement suspending the SUK and state legal adviser with immediate effect, this department is of the view that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council has no legal authority to do so,” the AGC said.

The AGC added that the appointment of a new state legal adviser must comply with Article 37 of the UUTKNS, namely appointment by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission from among members of the Judicial and Legal Service.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim today announced the immediate suspension of the duties of SUK Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and state legal adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal.

Ismail also announced that state financial officer Datuk Masri Razali would carry out the duties of the SUK until a new appointment is made by the Chief Secretary to the Government.

Meanwhile, advocate and solicitor Fahmi Adilah will carry out legal advisory duties until a new state legal adviser is appointed by the AGC. — Bernama

* Editor’s note: SUK is the abbreviation in Malay for Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri while the initials UUTKNS stands fori Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan.