The Negeri Sembilan power struggle has taken another dramatic turn, with Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim saying that members of the state executive council have been barred from entering their offices at Wisma Negeri and prevented from carrying out their official duties.

Ismail said he had been informed of the directive but was unaware of who had issued it, adding that no written order had been presented to him so far.

“I was informed that there was a prohibition or directive barring exco members from entering their respective offices.

“I was also informed that they were not only prohibited from entering their exco offices at Wisma Negeri, but were also not allowed to carry out their duties as exco members,” he told a press conference in Seremban this afternoon.

He said the situation warranted a review, warning it could have implications for the state administration and the interests of the people.

Wisma Negeri falls under the jurisdiction of state secretary Zafir Ibrahim, whom Ismail (above, centre) had suspended along with state legal adviser Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal.

Zafir, however, has continued to discharge his duties, saying he had been instructed to do so by Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

He also said that Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar and other legal advisers told him that the suspension Ismail had imposed on him was invalid.

Denial of people's rights

While Ismail himself has not faced any obstacles thus far in entering his office, he further stressed that since the existing exco line-up remains valid, they should be allowed to carry out their duties as usual.

This, he said, includes the state executive council meeting, which the Juasseh assemblyperson said involves various matters relating to public interest, including development allocations and assistance.

“If this is blocked without reasonable grounds and without a court order, this constitutes a denial of the people's rights,” he said, noting that authorities have been requested to review the directive and allow exco members to enter their offices.

When asked about the status of the directive, Ismail said it might be considered an improper order if it was made without reasonable grounds or written instructions, noting that as far as he is aware, there have been no orders from the court or the police on the matter.