Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman J Arul Kumar says the menteri besar cannot simply assume the exco’s role in approving the state budget, except during an emergency. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The absence of an executive council in Negeri Sembilan could put the state’s 2027 budget in limbo, says state DAP chairman J Arul Kumar.

Arul, the Nilai assemblyman said, the biggest concern is what will happen at the critical stage when the budget requires exco approval.

“How are you going to approve the budget and bring it to the state assembly without an exco meeting?

“If there is no approved budget, how are you going to pay salaries, utilities and other expenditure,” asked Arul, a member of the state exco from 2018 to 2026.