Shahidan insists he did not commit treason

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has insisted he is not derhaka (commit treason) against Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail as his state party members denounced his stand on the MB issue.

In a Facebook posting, the Perlis Umno chairman instead asked: “What is the meaning of derhaka? What is the meaning of murka (wrath)? I do not understand because they are not mentioned in the laws. What about the rakyat who are angry?

“We should not use flowery language to scare the people. Why intimidate them with words that we do not understand,” said the thirdterm Arau MP.

Shahidan, on behalf of Barisan Nasional, also appealed to the Ruler to consider the choice for the Perlis mentri besar who commands the majority support but he did not name the person.

He said he promised to fight for the democratic rights of the people of Perlis, and that the party which won in the general election should administer the state.

“Pray that I get better to fight for the rights of the Perlis people so that such problems will not recur..

“There is no point in having a general election if the party that won is unable to propose its own mentri besar.

“I apologise to everyone ... selamat berpuasa,” wrote Shahidan.

In Alor Setar, many Umno members do not share Shahidan’s stand. They made their opinion known publicly at the airport here yesterday by giving Tuanku a hearty sendoff as he took a flight to Kuala Lumpur with his consort, Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid.

Padang Besar Umno committee member and Batu Bertangkup Umno branch chairman Ali Ismail said the decree of the Raja must be well received because it is done “for the sake of the people of Perlis”.