The Negeri Sembilan government has taken the action of cutting the water and electricity supply to Balai Undang Luak Johol, the official residence of the Johol Undang (chieftain), after the former chieftain Datuk Mohd Jan Abdul Ghani refused to vacate the premises.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he regretted the state government had to go up to this level...it should not be this way.

"I hope they (family members of the former Undang) understand. What they are doing is preventing a civil servant from performing his duties, as Balai Undang Luak Johol is a government property," he said at a press conference at Wisma Negeri, here, today.

Mohamad said living in a government premises illegally was an offence and punishable under the Penal Code.

The state government had earlier issued a notice to vacate the premises to Mohd Jan, who was sacked on March 27 last year for allegedly committing 13 offences involving misconduct and breaching customs.

He was replaced by Datuk Muhammad Abdullah, who was previously the Baginda Tan Mas (Deputy Undang of Johol).

Muhammad's appointment as the new Johol Undang was approved by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan on Oct 7 last year, and he appeared before the ruler of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir for the appointment on Dec 15 last year.

On another development, Mohamad said the state government had approved for the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) to relocate its headquarters.

"It's time MPS moved to its new office to provide better service and comfort to the public. This also takes into account the merger of MPS and the Nilai Municipal Council (MPN)," he said.

-- BERNAMA