The lack of executive council members in Negeri Sembilan will not jeopardise the tabling of the state’s 2027 budget, says menteri besar Ismail Lasim.
He said the state government can make decisions on the budget without the exco members.
Budget process without exco
“We usually bring the budget to the exco members for approval, but it is not mandatory. We can bring the budget prepared by the departments directly to the state assembly,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian in Seremban today.
Ismail said the state government would call all 25 assemblymen from the government bloc for a consultation session on the budget this month, adding that the budget’s preparation would also take public views into account.
He said the state assembly sitting scheduled for Oct 16 has been postponed to the end of November to coincide with the tabling of the budget.
Administration continues, says MB
Ismail also denied that the lack of exco members would jeopardise the state’s administration, saying that their portfolios are currently being managed by the relevant department heads.
“I also have a good relationship with the state secretary. Administering the state remains important, so everyone is being professional. We have our respective responsibilities,” he said.
On Oct 3, state DAP chairman J Arul Kumar said the absence of exco members in Negeri Sembilan could put the state’s 2027 budget in limbo, especially at the critical stage when the budget requires exco approval.
Negeri Sembilan was left without an exco on Sept 20, after all 10 state executive councillors were removed from office for breaching their oath of office.
The dismissal followed a statement they issued five days earlier endorsing a declaration that sought to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang DiPertuan Besar.
