KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) says the Negeri Sembilan state executive council has no legal authority to suspend the state secretary (SUK) and state legal adviser from their duties.
In a statement today, the AGC said matters concerning appointments, including the suspension of officials holding both positions, fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Services Commission and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission respectively, as stipulated under Article 37 of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution 1959 (UUTKNS).
"On the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar's September 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, which stipulates that the appointment must be made by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission from among members of the Judicial and Legal Service.
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim yesterday announced the immediate suspension of state secretary 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 state secretary 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.
