9 BN reps reject Azlan as Perlis MB
KUALA LUMPUR: Nine Barisan Nasional assemblymen from Perlis have rejected the appointment of Datuk Seri Azlan Man as the state’s menteri besar yesterday.
This was announced by Perlis Umno liaison committee chief Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim at the BN headquarters.
Shahidan announced that the Perlis Umno liaison committee had sacked Azlan from Umno, effective immediately.
The decision to sack Azlan, he said, was done unanimously by Perlis Umno in a meeting yesterday.
“This termination was also informed to Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is now performing the duties of Umno president; and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is performing the duties of the deputy president,” he said.
All nine assemblymen were at the meeting.
Perlis Umno earlier had a twohour meeting with Zahid and Hishammuddin.
The termination from Umno leaves Azlan as a menteri besar without a party.
Earlier, Azlan was sworn in as menteri besar for a second term at Istana Arau yesterday.
The swearing-in ceremony took place before Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail at 11.10am.
In the 14th General Election, BN won 10 state seats while Pakatan Harapan, three seats, and Pas, two seats.
Shahidan had previously named Tambun Tulang assemblyman, Datuk Ismail Kassim, who is also his brother, as the new menteri besar.
All nine BN assemblymen boycotted the swearing-in ceremony. The event was attended by PH and Pas assemblymen.
Asked whether the assemblymen’s boycott would make Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin “murka” (disappointed), Shahidan said: “What is ‘murka’? You tell me what is the meaning of ‘murka’? This is just flowery language.
“This is not fair. We won the election... we are entitled to decide who our leader should be.
“We worked hard, we fought tooth and nail to win the election.
“We won with a two-thirds majority. ‘Murka’ is your question. I don’t understand the meaning of ‘murka’, I am just following the constitution.”
Shahidan called for Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, whom he said was well-versed in legal and constitutional issues, as well as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to help settle the issue.
He said that there was a clause that stated that the Raja of Perlis had the right to appoint anyone he chose, but said the support of the majority of assemblymen needed to be taken into account.