Muzalmah also expressed a similar commitment and reported for duty as usual at her office in Wisma Negeri here.

"Yes, I am working as usual and have not been prevented from entering my office. As long as the Attorney-General directs me to continue working here, I will carry out my duties as usual. I have also not received any official letter regarding the suspension of my duties," she said.

Yesterday, a special meeting of the State Executive Council (MMKN) had decided to suspend the duties of Mohd Zafir and Muzalmah, with immediate effect.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim announced that state financial officer Datuk Masri Razali would carry out the duties of the state secretary until a new appointment is made by the Chief Secretary to the Government, while advocate and solicitor Fahmi Adilah will carry out legal advisory duties until a new state legal adviser is named by the AGC. 

Following this, the AGC, in a statement, said that the Negeri Sembilan State Executive Council has no legal authority to suspend the duties of the state secretary and state legal adviser.

It said appointment matters, including the suspension of duties for both positions, fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission and the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, respectively, as stipulated under Article 37 of the Negeri Sembilan State Constitution 1959.

-- BERNAMA