KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20): Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir has sacked all members of the state executive council (exco), except for Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Ismail Lasim.

According to a statement issued by Comptroller of Istana Seri Menanti Datuk Azizi Mohamad Ali, the sacking is in response to the declaration by the state exco members on Sept 15 that Tuanku Muhriz was no longer the state ruler.

The move by the state exco members is deemed as a violation of their oath of office when they were sworn in by Tuanku Muhriz, the statement said.

Under Article XXXVII (5) of the State Constitution, members of the exco, with the exception of the MB, serve at the pleasure of the ruler, the statement said.

The exco members had pledged allegiance and loyalty to Tuanku Muhriz when they were sworn in on Aug 7 and what they did on Sept 15 was therefore a breach of their oath, the statement said.

With the sacking, the MB will be required to present new names to the palace to be appointed to the state exco, the statement said, adding that the MB is required to ensure that the state administration continues to run without disruption in the interests of the people.