NEGERI Sembilan is looking at introducing deputy executive council (Exco) positions for several portfolios as the new state administration takes shape, Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said.
Ismail said the proposal was being considered to accommodate more elected representatives from the parties supporting the state government, including Barisan Nasional (BN), PAS and Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan).
With limited slots in the state executive council, he said the creation of deputy Exco posts could allow more assemblymen to play a role in the administration.
“We may not be able to place all elected representatives in the Exco line-up, so we are considering deputy Exco positions for several portfolios that I believe are important,” he told reporters after beginning his first day as Menteri Besar at Wisma Negeri today.
He said the idea was a new approach for the state government, although the number of deputy Exco positions had yet to be finalised.
Ismail also said discussions on appointing a senior Exco member were still ongoing, despite the position being provided for under the state administration structure.
The new Exco line-up is expected to be announced by Friday or, at the latest, early next week.
Ismail, who won the Juasseh state seat in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election, officially began his duties at 9 am today and was welcomed by State Secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and senior government officials.
He was sworn in as the ninth Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan on Sunday before Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.
The appointment came after BN won 18 seats and Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured seven in the 36-seat state assembly, allowing the two coalitions to form the state government with a two-thirds majority.
Meanwhile, Ismail said his appointment as Menteri Besar followed the proper procedures, rejecting suggestions that there was external interference in the process.
“I have not really followed the matter closely, but I believe the procedure was followed correctly.
“The appointment process was carried out properly. Other than that, I have no comment,” he said.
His remarks came after Wawasan Negeri Sembilan chairman Tan Sri Mohd Rais Yatim questioned the process behind his appointment, claiming there had been outside interference involving state customs and constitutional matters.
Ismail declined to comment further, saying the appointment process had been carried out according to the established procedures.
On the composition of the new state cabinet, Ismail said the decision on whether Negeri Sembilan UMNO chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias would join the Exco line-up would be left to him.
“There has not been any detailed discussion yet. He is also a Member of Parliament and assemblyman, so it depends on his decision whether he wants to be part of the Exco,” he said.
Jalaluddin had earlier said he would not be offering himself for an Exco position, choosing instead to make way for other representatives while leaving the final decision to the Menteri Besar.
“I am open-minded. I have not been in politics for just a day. I am not hungry for power. There is still much work to be done to fulfil BN’s manifesto, deliver promises to the people and fix weaknesses,” he was reported as saying.
The formation of the new state administration follows BN and PN’s combined victory of 25 seats in the state election, giving them a two-thirds majority in the Negeri Sembilan assembly. – August 4, 2026
