Former Court of Appeal judge Hishamudin Yunus said the ruler’s constitutional duty to act on the menteri besar’s advice does not mean that an exco member’s appointment can only be revoked on such advice, regardless of the circumstances.

PETALING JAYA: The Yang Dipertuan Besar acted within his powers in revoking the appointments of 10 Negeri Sembilan executive council members, according to former Court of Appeal judge Hishamudin Yunus.

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.