Negri state Budget set to proceed despite exco vacancies

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Negri Sembilan's government is proceeding with the 2027 state budget presentation despite vacant executive council positions following the dismissal of exco members linked to an alleged conspiracy against the state ruler. The state assembly will debate the budget starting late November, while departmental feedback and local community support efforts continue amid ongoing legal challenges and uncertainty over new exco appointments.

The government of Negri Sembilan is moving forward with the presentation of the 2027 state budget despite the executive council (exco) seats remaining vacant, according to Mentri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim. The state assembly, comprising 25 Barisan Nasional, PAS, and Wawasan assemblymen, is scheduled to hold a budget consultation session later this month to finalize next year’s expenditure plans.

Ismail confirmed that the state assembly is set to open on November 26, with Yang di-Pertuan Besar presiding over the opening ceremony. The Budget 2027 will be tabled the following day, followed by four days of deliberations starting November 30. He added that filling the exco positions was not a prerequisite for the budget presentation, as is typically done after departmental inputs are reviewed and endorsed by the exco.

“In the interim, all relevant government departments have been engaged to provide feedback on the upcoming budget,” Ismail said, emphasizing the crucial role of department heads in managing their respective portfolios in the absence of exco members.

The current vacancy of the exco positions followed the revocation of the appointments of the 10 exco members by the state ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, on September 15. The dismissals, effective from September 20, were a result of the council members allegedly breaching their oath of office by conspiring to replace Tuanku Muhriz with Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar.

When asked who would officiate the state assembly’s opening, Ismail declined to specify, stating, “We will cross the bridge when we get there.” He assured that state administration and public services continue to operate smoothly despite the absence of the exco members.

Highlighting efforts to support local communities, Ismail pointed to the recent distribution of appointment letters to 407 village development and security committee (JPKK) chairmen and secretaries. This move is intended to ensure ongoing assistance, particularly for lower-income residents in rural areas. “Today’s event demonstrates our commitment to the welfare of the rakyat despite administrative challenges,” he said.

Regarding the timeline for appointing new exco members, Ismail remained non-committal but indicated that such appointments will be made in due course. “Let us take it one step at a time. We have begun with the village headmen and secretaries, and exco appointments will follow,” he added.

Ismail also noted that his professional relationship with state secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim remains positive amid the current difficulties. This comes as the former exco members filed a lawsuit on October 5 against Mohd Zafir and the state government. They are challenging the validity of a gazette notification endorsing their removal, arguing that it bypasses the procedures outlined in the Constitution of Negri Sembilan 1959 and seeking a High Court declaration that the notification is null and void.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.