N Sembilan crisis: AGC rejects state secretary suspension; rival ruler to hold an audience

The Attorney-General's Chambers has rejected Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim's move to suspend the state government secretary and legal adviser.

Meanwhile, Ismail (above) will lead a delegation this morning to have an audience with rival claimant to the state throne Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar.

The state government appears to be heading towards an endgame, and it’s unclear whether federal powers can continue thwarting their plans to install Tunku Nadzaruddin as ruler.

In a statement last night, the AGC said plainly that the menteri besar and state executive council did not have authority to suspend state secretary Zafir Ibrahim and state legal adviser Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal - both are federal civil servants.

It said any move to replace them must go through the Public Service Commission and Judicial and Legal Service Commission, respectively.

This, it said, was enshrined under Article 37 of the state constitution, which states: "There shall be constituted the offices of state secretary, state legal adviser and state financial officer; and the appointments thereto shall be made by the appropriate service commission from amongst members of any of the relevant public services."

Yesterday, Ismail named state financial officer Masri Razali as acting state secretary and lawyer Fahmi Adilah as acting state legal adviser, pending permanent replacements.

The move is seen as key to getting Tunku Nadzaruddin's ascension legally gazetted - a move which Zafir had refused to comply with.

Further, the state secretary also controls the state government office building. There might be tensions today if both Zafir and Masri turn up for work as state secretary.

Meetings and gatherings

Separately, the press were invited to an audience between Ismail, the state exco, and Tunku Nadzaruddin (above), and the rebel chieftain group backing him.

The meeting today will be held at the Tuanku Ja'afar Royal Gallery in Seremban. Other BN and Perikatan Nasional state lawmakers are also expected to attend.

Meanwhile, a demonstration in support of embattled ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir is also expected to take place outside the gallery at the same time as the audience.

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