Negeri Sembilan govt suspends state secretary, legal adviser amid royal row

Negeri Sembilan govt suspends state secretary, legal adviser amid royal row



Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the decision was made unanimously at a special meeting of the State Executive Council (MMKN) today. — Bernama pic


Summary

• The Negeri Sembilan government has suspended State Secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and State Legal Adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal amid a dispute involving the state's royal institution.
• This decision, made unanimously at a State Executive Council meeting, appoints Datuk Masri Razali and lawyer Fahmi Adilah as interim replacements, respectively.
• The suspensions coincide with an escalating conflict over the positions of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and the revocation of appointments for all state executive councillors by Tuanku Muhriz.
• Despite these developments, Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim assures that the state administration will continue its duties uninterrupted.

First Published: Tuesday, 22 Sep 2026 5:27 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — The Negeri Sembilan government today suspended the state secretary and state legal adviser with immediate effect amid the ongoing dispute involving the state’s royal institution.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the decision was made unanimously at a special meeting of the State Executive Council (MMKN) today.


The two officials are State Secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim and State Legal Adviser Datuk Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal.

In a statement, Ismail said State Financial Officer Datuk Masri Razali would assume the duties of the state secretary until a new state secretary is appointed by the Chief Secretary to the Government.


He said legal advisory duties would meanwhile be carried out by lawyer Fahmi Adilah until a new state legal adviser is appointed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.


“The suspension notice for the Negeri Sembilan State Secretary will be conveyed to the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Public Service Department.

“Meanwhile, the suspension notice for the Negeri Sembilan State Legal Adviser will be conveyed to the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” he said.


Ismail also maintained that all positions held by members of the State Executive Council (MMKN) remained valid and lawful.

“I also confirm that all positions of members of the State Executive Council (MMKN) remain intact and valid,” he said.

The development comes amid an escalating dispute involving the position of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

On Sunday, Tuanku Muhriz revoked the appointments of all 10 state executive councillors, saying they had breached their oaths of office.

Ismail subsequently said he had not advised or been consulted on the revocation and maintained that the existing EXCO line-up remained valid.

Ismail said the state administration would continue to function as usual and that its responsibilities towards the people would continue to be carried out to the best of its ability.