THE Negeri Sembilan state government has asserted that there is no need to submit a new list of State Executive Council (Exco) members, as the existing leadership lineup remains valid and will continue to carry out its duties as usual.
Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim stated that this position is based on legal interpretation and the limits of executive authority under the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan (UUTKNS) 1959, particularly regarding the status and tenure of Exco members.
He noted that Negeri Sembilan’s administrative system is founded on the principles of Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy, wherein the Ruler's sovereign authority regarding state administration is exercised upon the advice of the Menteri Besar and the State Executive Council.
According to him, under Article 40(1) of the UUTKNS 1959, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan must act in accordance with the advice of the State Executive Council and the Menteri Besar when performing administrative (executive) functions under Part Two of the State Constitution.
He added that the Ruler's discretionary power regarding administration is limited to matters explicitly stated in writing under Article 40(2) of the UUTKNS 1959.
“The power to unilaterally dismiss or terminate the tenure of an Exco member is not included within this discretionary authority,” he said in an official statement.
Ismail stated that the Ruler's power to assent to an Exco member's tenure under Article 38(5) of the UUTKNS 1959 cannot be read in isolation; instead, it must be interpreted in conjunction with Article 38(4) and Article 40(1).
He stated that, based on that interpretation, any termination or alteration of the EXCO line-up while the administration is in office can only take effect upon the advice or official request of the Menteri Besar.
“Therefore, any action to dismiss or terminate the membership of an EXCO member—taken without the advice or request of the Menteri Besar—constitutes a legal error, is unconstitutional, and holds no legal force,” he said.
He further emphasised that the Menteri Besar was never consulted, nor did he at any time offer advice, regarding the dismissal of any Negeri Sembilan State Government EXCO member pursuant to Article 38(5) of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959. – September 21, 2026
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