Former Negeri Sembilan exco members petition Federal Court over ruler's dismissal powers

A group of ten former Negeri Sembilan executive councilors have approached the Federal Court to contest the termination of their posts by the state's ruler, Tuanku Muhriz. Their application, filed on October 14, asks the court to declare the September 20 revocations, which were officially gazetted on September 24, unconstitutional if they conflict with the state constitution. The petition names the Negeri Sembilan state secretary and the state government as the first and second respondents.

Central to the case is the interpretation of the constitutional clause “at the ruler’s pleasure,” which the applicants argue should not override other provisions governing royal powers. The dismissals were triggered after the councilors asserted, in statements and actions, that the ruler had been removed in April and replaced by Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar. The palace responded that such conduct breached their oath to remain loyal to the monarch and the institution.