KUALA PILAH: The new Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said his appointment is a huge responsibility and the post is not a privilege to be boasted about, but a duty that must be carried out with sincerity, loyalty, honesty, wisdom and a high sense of accountability.
“I humbly offer my utmost gratitude to Your Royal Highness for the trust and consent bestowed upon me to undertake this duty as Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar,” he said when taking his oath before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, Sunday as reported by NST.
Also present at the ceremony at Istana Besar Seri Menanti were Tunku Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Zain Al’Abidin.
Others in attendance included Undang Luak Sungei Ujong Datuk Muhammad Faris Johari and Undang Luak Rembau Datuk Hassan Ab Hamid, along with Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Negri Sembilan elected representatives.
Ismail also stressed that his gratitude to the people of Negri Sembilan for fulfilling their democratic duty and giving their mandate to BN and Perikatan Nasional in yesterday’s (1st August) state election.
He said his appointment came with the obligation to prove that the state government would work diligently, listen to the people and carry out its duties fairly, transparently and effectively.
The Juasseh assemblyman also thanked his predecessor, former menteri besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, for his service, contributions, leadership and dedication throughout his tenure.
He said the foundation built by Aminuddin, who had served as menteri besar since 2018, would serve as a valuable platform to continue the progress and prosperity of Negri Sembilan.
Ismail pledged to uphold the dignity of the royal institution and defend the principles of the Federal Constitution and the Negri Sembilan constitution.
“I will also always uphold the royal decrees, advice, views and guidance of Your Royal Highness in carrying out all matters and duties of the state government administration,” he said.
Ismail, 67, was sworn in as the new Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar before the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at the Balairong Seri of Istana Besar Seri Menanti, Sunday.
Ismail began his political career as an elected representative after he was first elected as a state assemblyman in 1999 and has since accumulated nearly three decades of experience in Negri Sembilan politics.
He was appointed to the state executive council in 2004 and served in the state administration for three consecutive terms until 2018 as reported by Bernama.
During that period, he held the education portfolio and was involved in formulating and implementing various policies related to education and human capital development in Negri Sembilan.
