Negeri Sembilan MB says exco barred from Wisma Negeri, urges review of directive

SEREMBAN, Sept 24 — Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim today said state executive councillors (exco) had been barred from entering their offices at Wisma Negeri and urged the relevant authorities to immediately review the directive.

Ismail, who is also the Juasseh assemblyman, said he had been informed that the exco members were not only prohibited from entering their respective offices, but were also prevented from carrying out their duties.

The palace had earlier announced that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir revoked the exco appointments with immediate effect, citing breaches of their oath of office during a September 15 meeting.

“I have been informed that there is a restraining order or directive prohibiting the exco members from entering their respective offices.

“I have also been informed that it is not merely that they are not allowed to enter their exco offices at Wisma Negeri, but that they are also not allowed to carry out their duties as exco members,” he told a press conference at Klana Resort here.

Ismail said the directive was conveyed to the exco members verbally rather than in writing.

He urged the relevant authorities to review the directive, including its basis and scope, taking into account the ongoing dispute and the need to ensure that state administration and public affairs were not disrupted.

Ismail said the request was being made through proper channels and would not prevent the authorities from carrying out their security responsibilities.

“I urge all parties to give the state government and the legal process room to resolve this dispute.

“The state government will continue to act properly, respect the state’s Royal Institution and prioritise the interests of the people,” he said.

He also maintained that the existing exco members remained legitimate and should continue carrying out their duties as usual.

Ismail said this was important as preventing the exco members from entering their offices or holding exco meetings could affect decisions involving the interests of the people.

“If the exco members are not allowed to enter their offices or hold exco meetings and so on, this would effectively be a denial of the people’s rights because many of these decisions are related to the interests of the people,” he said.

Ismail also said he had never been consulted or advised regarding the termination of any exco member under Article 38(5) of the Constitution of the State of Negeri Sembilan 1959.

“Therefore, once again, I want to emphasise that the existing exco members remain legitimate and will continue to carry out their duties as usual,” he said.