Kuala Lampur, Sept. 29 -- When Negeri Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said that "the sovereign power of the Ruler in matters of state administration shall be exercised on the advice of the YAB Menteri Besar and the State Executive Council", citing Article 40(1), he may have overlooked that under Article 28(1), the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Rulings Chiefs are collectively the Ruler.

Article 40(1) states the general principle that the Ruler is to act on advice. In Negeri Sembilan, the Ruler means Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Rulings Chiefs.

Then there is Article 40(1A) which says that the Ruler is "to act in accordance with the advice or on the advice of any person or body of persons".

Clause (1A) was inserted into Article 40 vide ...