Let legal sense prevail — Hafiz Hassan

The revocation of the appointments of 10 state executive council members – excos as they are publicly known – having been published in the state government gazette, the 10 are no longer state excos.

Effective September 20, 2026.

Accordingly, the 10 were lawfully barred from entering their offices at Wisma Negeri yesterday.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim had urged the relevant authorities to immediately review the barring.

But a review would be flip flopping the revocation.

Unless the 10 former excos apply for a judicial review of the revocation.

Now, let’s appreciate the significance of the gazette.

A general view of Wisma Negeri in Seremban on September 21, 2026. — Bernama pic

As I wrote in “Tuanku Muhriz will continue to be Yang di-Pertuan Besar”, a gazette is an official publication of the federal or state government. 

It is a legal notification to the public of the matter or matters contained therein and serves as evidence of the same.

It informs us that the revocation by a “titah” (order) of the Ruler will not suffice.

The revocation has to be published in a gazette.

What remains is the other “titah” – that is, for Ismail to submit a list of candidates for the Ruler’s consideration to be appointed as excos pursuant to Article 38(2)(b) of the State Constitution.

Ismail is not affected by the revocation as gazetted. He should know why.

A Menteri Besar does not hold office at the Ruler’s pleasure.

But the Ruler should receive the audience of Ismail at the Istana Negeri with much pleasure.

Let legal sense prevail.

* This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.