About time the High Court determines the power to revoke appointments of exco members — Hafiz Hassan

OCTOBER 8 — Ten Negeri Sembilan assemblymen who previously served as state executive councillors (excos) have struck back.

They have gone to court to challenge the revocation of their appointments as excos last month, naming the state secretary and the state government as defendants in their originating summons (OS).

An OS is a mode of commencing proceedings in the civil courts.

Essentially an application, the OS seeks no fewer than 12 court orders, including declarations that:

• the power to revoke an exco’s appointment must follow the requirements and procedures in the State Constitution;
• the Ruler cannot revoke an exco’s appointment on his own, or at his pleasure alone, without the Menteri Besar (MB)’s advice;
• the revocation, which was gazetted by the state secretary, is null, void and ineffective as the State Constitution requires the MB’s advice for such a revocation.