THE NEGERI Sembilan State Executive Council (Exco) lacks the legal authority to suspend the state secretary and the state legal adviser from their duties.
The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) stated that matters concerning the appointment—including the suspension—of these two positions fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Services Commission (SPA) and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, respectively.
According to the AGC, this is stipulated in Article 37 of the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959 (UUTKNS).
“Regarding the media statement by the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar dated September 22, 2026, concerning the immediate suspension of the state secretary and the state legal adviser:
“This Department holds the view that the Negeri Sembilan Exco does not possess the legal authority to suspend the incumbents of these two positions,” it said in a statement today.
The AGC added that any appointment of a new state legal adviser must also comply with Article 37 of the UUTKNS.
It stated that such appointments must be made by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission from among members of the Judicial and Legal Service.
Earlier, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim announced that the Exco had unanimously decided to suspend the duties of State Secretary Datuk Mohd. Zafir Ibrahim and State Legal Adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal, effective immediately. – September 22, 2026
