PETALING JAYA: The absence of an executive council (Exco) in Negeri Sembilan could create uncertainty over the state’s 2027 budget process, says state DAP chairman J Arul Kumar.
Arul, who is also the Nilai assemblyman and a former state Exco member, said a key concern was whether the state budget could be approved and tabled in the state assembly without an Exco in place.
“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?” he asked.
Negeri Sembilan has been without an Exco since Sept 20, after all 10 members were removed from office for allegedly breaching their oath of office.
The dismissal came after the councillors issued a statement endorsing a declaration seeking the removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
Arul said Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim could not simply assume the functions of the Exco in approving the state budget or other matters, except in an emergency.
The state approved a RM640 million budget for 2026 on Dec 5 last year, including RM150 million in development expenditure.
According to Arul, preparations for the annual state budget would normally begin around May or June of the preceding year, when state departments submit their spending estimates.
By September, the process would typically involve discussions between the menteri besar, Exco members and heads of government departments.
“There is normally an Exco retreat where we discuss what initiatives we want to introduce the following year.
“No such retreat has been held this year,” he said.
Arul said state departments could still prepare their respective expenditure estimates, but the final budget would need to be considered and endorsed by the Exco.
He said the process was broadly similar to the federal level, where the Cabinet considers the national budget before it is tabled in Parliament.
“The Exco must agree on the budget. The menteri besar then tables it in the state assembly, seconded by an Exco member. The assembly decides on the expenditure,” he said.
-FMT
