Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail also explains his choice of menteri besar, saying he does not want the state to be controlled by outside forces.
Perlis Raja Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail (right) together with newly sworn-in Perlis MB Azlan Man (second from right) and other representatives at Istana Arau.
ARAU: Perlis Raja Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail today expressed outrage over the absence of the nine other Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen from the swearing in of the new menteri besar.
While expressing relief that Azlan Man had finally been sworn in as the Perlis menteri besar, he expressed disappointment that the nine BN reps had failed to show up despite the invitation being sent two days earlier.
“This is due to the interests of certain factions. I feel ashamed to mention names, but I think you all know who I am referring to, because this morning, a big group of them were not present here.
“I do not know why they were not here, because the invitation went out two days ago. Back then, they were all in Perlis. All of them ‘migrated’ to Kuala Lumpur last night by airplane. This was conveyed to me. But this ceremony goes on, with or without them,” he said in an impromptu speech after the ceremony.
Azlan, who is Bintong assemblyman, was today sworn in as menteri besar for a second term. The ceremony was attended by the state assemblymen from Pakatan Harapan and PAS, as well as the sole BN MP, Noor Amin Ahmad. However, none of the other nine BN state representatives were present.
Azlan’s swearing in put an end to the Perlis menteri besar impasse, which lasted for a good two weeks after the 14th general election.
Until yesterday, Perlis was the only state in the country without a menteri besar despite BN securing a two-thirds majority, winning 10 out of the 15 state seats it contested.
PH won three state seats – Kuala Perlis, Sena and Indera Kayangan – while PAS secured Sanglang and Guar Sanji.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said until last night, he had been worried and afraid that he would make the wrong choice, after the list of four potential candidates had been shortlisted to two.
“I wish for development in Perlis to continue. So for a menteri besar who has just completed his five-year tenure, there must be continuity. If not, development will be stunted for two to three years.
“This is in the interest of the rakyat. Of course, the previous menteri besar would have weaknesses, but these can be fixed,” he said.
On the other candidate, referring to Ismail Kassim, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said he had close relations to Perlis Umno liaison committee chairman Shahidan Kassim.
He said when he had posed questions to the BN representatives in a recent meeting, “most of them appeared to be more obedient to the state committee chairman than the national Umno president himself”.
“It appears as though there is another grip. I was worried and afraid to choose Ismail Kassim. I do not want a menteri besar who will become a puppet and be controlled by external forces.
“You heard the oath taken by the menteri besar just now, that they are not supposed to inform or discuss with anyone other than those within the state Cabinet. But if the younger brother becomes the menteri besar, I am sure he will inform his older brother.
“I am being honest with you. I do not want outside forces to control this state. If Shahidan wanted to, he should have contested a state seat. But he didn’t. He contested a parliamentary seat,” he said, referring to Shahidan’s seat of Arau.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said the absence of the nine assemblymen from the swearing in today proved his suspicions that they were being controlled by someone.
He added that they had shown disrespect by not attending the ceremony.
“This is what I was worried about from the very beginning. But today, my suspicions have been proven right. If we allow this to continue, more can happen.
“I hope you understand what I am trying to say. I want Perlis to be developed and the rakyat to benefit, regardless of race or religion.
“I am worried that if I choose the wrong menteri besar, only one group will benefit. I am sorry for having to reveal this. I hope the people of Perlis can understand my choice,” he added. -FMT
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