Barisan reps meet Raja of Perlis

Assemblymen’s meeting with Ruler comes amid lawsuit over MB post

KANGAR: The eight Barisan Nasional assemblymen met the Raja of Perlis even as the coalition is taking the mentri besar crisis to court.

The eight who were granted an audience with Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail yesterday did not include Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man and Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kassim.

The meeting lasted for about 45 minutes from 10.30am to 11.15am. They left without speaking to the press waiting outside.

It is believed that this is the first time they met the Raja of Perlis since they incurred the Ruler’s wrath on May 24 for being absent from the palace during the swearingin of Azlan

Aside from seeking Tuanku’s forgiveness, the meeting is believed to be related to an earlier plea by Barisan for the Ruler to select another assemblyman other than Azlan and Ismail to helm the state government.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the state Barisan filed a suit at Perlis High Court last Monday challenging Azlan’s appointment.

The coalition is seeking a ruling from the court to demand that Azlan step down as mentri besar.

Barisan is relying on Section 39(2) of the state constitution, which states that the Raja of Perlis should appoint a mentri besar, who in his view, has the support of the majority of the state assemblymen.

Section 39(6) states that the mentri besar must resign if he no longer enjoys the support of the majority of the assemblymen.

All efforts to the break deadlock have so far failed, and the assemblymen earlier said they would apologise to Tuanku but would not accept Azlan as mentri besar.

In Alor Setar, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Pakatan Harapan would not intervene in the Perlis political crisis.

“How can I intervene? My party has no power.

“The party with the power is not mine but others,” he said when asked about the call by Perlis Barisan chairman and Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim for the Prime Minister to step in to resolve the issue.

Perlis PKR head of strategy and Kuala Perlis assemblyman Noor Azam Karap urged Barisan to quickly resolve the crisis so that the “business of administration can proceed as usual”.

He said all Barisan assemblymen in the state should respect the decision of His Highness in appointing Azlan as mentri besar.

“I hope this issue can be settled by Aidilfitri,” he said.

How can I intervene? My party has no power. The party with the power is not mine but others. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad