PERLIS POLITICAL CRISIS RESOLVED
9 BN assemblymen support appointment of Azlan as MB, sought forgiveness from ruler
THE Perlis political crisis has been resolved with nine Barisan Nasional assemblymen throwing their support behind the appointment of Datuk Seri Azlan Man as menteri besar.
Chuping assemblyman Asmaiza Ahmad said all of the BN assemblymen, including Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kassim, supported Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail’s decision.
“It has been resolved. This decision was made before we were granted an audience with Tuanku (Raja Perlis) at Istana Arau two days ago (Sunday).
“We were unanimous in expressing our support for Tuanku Raja in whatever he decreed and we abide by his decision.
“We do not want a prolonged crisis, for the sake of the people. Alhamdulilah, it has been resolved,” she said yesterday at an event to hand Ramadan contributions at Dewan 2020 here.
Asmaiza confirmed that state BN chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was aware of the nine assemblymen’s decision.
“Of course, he (Shahidan) knows about this decision. Datuk Ismail Kassim agreed, too, but last Sunday, he did not return to Perlis to have an audience with Raja Perlis.”
She confirmed that the appointment of the state executive council members might be conducted as early as next week.
Titi Tinggi assemblyman Teh Chai Ann said he and his colleagues pledged to cooperate with Azlan to administer the state.
He said this stand was taken when they were granted an audience with Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
“During our audience with Raja Perlis, we explained why we did not attend Azlan’s swearing-in ceremony as menteri besar.
“We have sought forgiveness from Tuanku (for not attending Azlan’s swearing in).
“We abide by and support the decision made by Raja Perlis. If his majesty wants Azlan (as menteri besar), we will abide by that decision.”
Azlan, who was also met at the event, said: “Alhamdulilah, everything is fine.”
The crisis in Perlis started when Shahidan proposed for Ismail, who is his brother, to become menteri besar.
However, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin rejected the proposal.
When Azlan took his oath of office on May 24, the other nine BN assemblymen boycotted the ceremony in Istana Arau, earning the wrath of the ruler.
On the same day, they turned up in Kuala Lumpur where Shahidan announced that Azlan had been sacked from Umno, a move that was criticised as only the Umno disciplinary board had the power to terminate membership.
The state BN then sent a list of 11 names, including two members of parliament, to the ruler for the post of menteri besar.
BN won 10 out of the 15 state seats in Perlis in the recent polls.
We were unanimous in expressing our support for
Tuanku Raja (in) whatever he decreed and (we) abide by his decision. ASMAIZA AHMAD
Chuping assemblyman