Shahidan Kassim named PN parliamentary council chair

Arau MP Shahidan Kassim has been selected as the Perikatan Nasional parliamentary council chairperson.

The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Muhyididin Yassin at a meeting with PN lawmakers yesterday, according to a statement released by the PN parliamentary council website.

PAS' Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh was elected as deputy chairperson, Bersatu's Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya is secretary and Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing of the Progressive Democratic Party is treasurer.

All appointments were unanimously approved at the meeting.

Shahidan, while commenting on his appointment, said all PN MPs would support and defend the government of Muhyiddin from opposition attacks, especially in the Dewan Rakyat.

He claimed that the PN government was proving itself within a very short span of time especially when the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and it was able to provide services and help the people by providing the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional assistance and food.

"Our priority is to serve the people in addition to saving and restoring the country's economy," he said.

It is understood that Shahidan was elected based on his experience as a former cabinet member and he has been responsible for parliamentary affairs in the past.

It is not immediately clear if the PN parliamentary council has superseded the Barisan Nasional parliamentary council, itself a successor to the BN backbenchers club.

Both Shahidan and Tiong are past leaders of the latter grouping. - Mkini