NS ruler acted within powers in revoking exco appointments, says ex-judge

Hishamudin, who is now chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, said Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir had the royal prerogative to revoke the exco members’ appointments when faced with such an “extraordinary and rebellious situation”. “The 10 state exco members whom he appointed, after pledging an oath of loyalty, illegally and unconstitutionally called for Tuanku Muhriz’s removal as the state ruler. An unthinkable conduct,” he said in a statement.

Hishamudin said it would be “absurd” to suggest that under such circumstances the state ruler was legally helpless and could only dismiss the exco members upon the advice of the menteri besar, when the menteri besar himself had also advocated his removal. The Negeri Sembilan administration gazetted the revocation of the exco members’ appointments on Sept 24, with their sackings effective Sept 20.