N Sembilan’s 2027 budget at risk without exco, says state DAP chair

 J Arul Kumar says the budget must first be endorsed by the state executive council before going to the state assembly.

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.

Negeri Sembilan was left without an executive council on Sept 20, after all 10 councillors were removed from office for breaching their oath of office.

The dismissal followed a statement they issued five days earlier endorsing a declaration that sought to remove Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as Yang di‑Pertuan Besar.

Arul said menteri besar Ismail Lasim could not simply assume the exco’s role in approving the state budget or other matters, except during an emergency.

Negeri Sembilan approved a RM640 million budget for 2026 on Dec 5 last year, which included RM150 million earmarked for development expenditure.

Arul said preparations for the annual budget would normally begin in May or June of the preceding year, when state departments submit their spending estimates.

By September, the process usually involves discussions among the menteri besar, exco members and department heads.

“There is normally an exco retreat where we discuss what initiatives we want to introduce the following year,” he said. No such retreat has been held this year.

Arul said that while the departments may still be able to prepare their estimates, the final budget still had to be considered and endorsed by the exco.

He said the process was similar to the federal process, where the Cabinet considers the budget before it goes to 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