Negeri Sembilan exco overstepped its powers by suspending two top officials, says AGC

The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) clarified that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council lacks the legal authority to suspend the State Secretary (SUK) and the state legal adviser, as these roles are managed by the Public Services Commission and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, according to Article 37 of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution 1959.

Despite the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar's announcement of immediate suspension for these officials, the AGC emphasized the necessity for compliance with constitutional procedures for appointments and suspensions.

Temporary replacements have been named until formal appointments are undertaken.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has stated that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council has no legal authority to suspend the duties of the state secretary (SUK) and state legal adviser.

In a statement yesterday, the AGC said appointment matters, including the suspension of duties for both positions, fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Services Commission and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission respectively, as stipulated under Article 37 of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution 1959 (UUTKNS).

“On the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar’s Sept 22, 2026 media statement suspending the SUK and state legal adviser with immediate effect, this department is of the view that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council has no legal authority to do so,” the AGC said.

The AGC added that the appointment of a new state legal adviser must comply with Article 37 of the UUTKNS, namely appointment by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission from among members of the Judicial and Legal Service.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim today announced the immediate suspension of the duties of SUK Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and state legal adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal.

Ismail also announced that state financial officer Datuk Masri Razali would carry out the duties of the SUK until a new appointment is made by the Chief Secretary to the Government.

Meanwhile, advocate and solicitor Fahmi Adilah will carry out legal advisory duties until a new state legal adviser is appointed by the AGC. — Bernama

* Editor’s note: SUK is the abbreviation in Malay for Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri while the initials UUTKNS stands fori Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan.

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总检察署澄清，森美兰州行政议会没有法律权力暂停州秘书和州法律顾问的职务，因为根据 1959 年森美兰州宪法第 37 条，这些职务由公共服务委员会和司法及法律服务委员会管理。

尽管森美兰州务大臣宣布立即暂停这些官员的职务，但总检察署强调，任命和停职必须遵守宪法程序。

在正式任命完成之前，将任命临时替代人选。

吉隆坡，9月23日讯——总检察署（AGC）表示，森美兰州行政议会没有法律权力暂停州秘书（SUK）和州法律顾问的职务。

总检察署昨天发表声明称，根据1959年森美兰州宪法第37条的规定，包括暂停这两个职位职务在内的任命事宜分别属于公共服务委员会和司法法律服务委员会的管辖范围。

“对于森美兰州务大臣于2026年9月22日发表的媒体声明，立即暂停州议员和州法律顾问的职务，本部门认为森美兰州行政议会没有这样做的法律权力，”总检察署表示。

总检察署补充说，任命新的国家法律顾问必须符合《国家法律服务条例》第 37 条的规定，即由司法和法律服务委员会从司法和法律服务人员中任命。

森美兰州务大臣拿督依斯迈拉欣今天宣布，立即暂停拿督莫哈末扎菲尔易卜拉欣和州法律顾问拿督穆扎玛穆斯塔法卡迈勒的职务。

伊斯梅尔还宣布，州财政官员拿督马斯里·拉扎利将履行州财政厅长的职责，直到政府首席秘书任命新的州财政厅长为止。

与此同时，律师法米·阿迪拉将履行法律顾问职责，直至总检察署任命新的州法律顾问。——马新社

* 编者注：SUK 是马来语 Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri 的缩写，而缩写 UUTKNS 则代表 Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan。

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