Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim has postponed appointing new state executive council (exco) members until the Federal Court rules on a constitutional challenge involving the removal of 10 former exco members.
Ismail said he wanted to wait for the apex court to determine the validity of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir’s decision to revoke their appointments.
“We have brought the matter to court, so we will wait for the court process. There may be discussions, but I am not sure. We will see how things develop,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.
The Federal Court has scheduled Dec 16 to hear the constitutional challenge.
The 10 former exco members lost their positions after Tuanku Muhriz revoked their appointments following their claims that his removal in April was legitimate and that Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar was the new ruler.
The palace viewed their actions as inconsistent with their oath of loyalty to the ruler and the royal institution.
Meanwhile, Ismail dismissed rumours that he was planning to step down as menteri besar, insisting that he continued to enjoy the full support of the other 24 government assemblymen.
He said his immediate priority was to ensure that the state budget for 2027 could be tabled on Nov 27.
“These are all just rumours. There are indeed many rumours circulating, but I have the full support of the government assemblymen.
“The budget is important. I hope everyone will cooperate ahead of the state assembly sitting so that we can table and pass it,” he said.
Ismail added that preparations for the budget were in their final stages, with his administration expected to hold another meeting soon to finalise the details.
“We already have sufficient allocations and are now waiting for the consent of the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan before proceeding,” he said.
He also denied rumours that he intended to seek an audience with the Negeri Sembilan ruler this week.
