THE Negeri Sembilan government’s proposal to create deputy Exco positions has triggered questions over whether the move is necessary for the state, with critics questioning if taxpayers’ money should be used to expand the number of political office holders.
The proposal has drawn attention because of the size of the state itself.
With a population of about 1.2 million, Negeri Sembilan is among the smaller states in the country, raising questions over whether the existing state administration is sufficient to manage its affairs without creating additional positions.
Comparisons have since been made with Selangor, which has more than three million residents and a far larger economy, but does not have deputy Exco positions in its state government.
Critics argue that if a larger and more complex state can function without such posts, Negeri Sembilan must provide a strong justification for why it requires them.
The issue is not merely about the creation of new positions, but whether the additional roles will translate into better services and improvements for residents.
Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the proposal was being considered as part of efforts to strengthen the state administration and assist Exco members in managing portfolios with heavier responsibilities.
He said deputy Excos would help improve coordination and ensure government programmes are implemented more effectively.
However, the explanation has not stopped criticism, with some questioning whether the state government needs more political positions or should instead focus its resources on areas that directly affect the public.
The debate has also taken a political turn following the state election, where Barisan Nasional formed the Negeri Sembilan government with support from Perikatan Nasional.
Some social media users have questioned whether the proposed posts are linked to the political arrangement that emerged after the election, although such claims remain opinions and have not been substantiated.
One commenter described the proposal as “more or less creative accounting”, claiming the creation of deputy Exco posts could be seen as a way to accommodate political interests while using state resources.
The same commenter pointed to the previous Pakatan Harapan administration, saying it managed to build RM1.3 billion in state reserves and attract RM19.1 billion in investments during its eight years in power without deputy Exco positions.
Another commenter said voters could eventually regret their decision, claiming the current political arrangement had created room for additional positions funded by taxpayers.
The remarks, however, are views expressed online and have not been independently verified.
Beyond the political debate, questions remain over the practical details of the proposal.
The state government has yet to provide a breakdown on how many deputy Exco positions will be created, their exact responsibilities, whether they will come with additional costs, and how their performance will be measured.
These details will be crucial in determining whether the move is a genuine administrative reform or simply an expansion of the state structure.
For residents watching the debate unfold, the issue comes down to accountability — whether every additional position created by the government can be justified by the benefits it delivers.
As the Negeri Sembilan administration weighs the proposal, the pressure is now on the government to prove that deputy Exco positions are not just about adding more office holders, but about delivering better outcomes for the people who ultimately fund the system. – August 5, 2026
