Newly appointed Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah has announced an RM3,000 monthly cut to his salary.
According to Berita Harian, the Perlis Bersatu chief added that all members of the incoming state executive council (exco) will also see a RM1,500 reduction in their monthly salaries.
"I see it this way - we have to provide our service to the state, to the people, because there are people in this state who are struggling to earn at least RM500 a month. It looks very difficult for them, so I willingly made this (salary) cut so that the people can see that we are with them.
"This is among the sacrifices we are trying to make to develop the state, and this situation will change when our economic situation is going well," he told reporters at the Menteri Besar's Office at the Seri Putra Complex in Kangar, Perlis, after clocking in for his first day in his new role.
Abu Bakar swore in as the new menteri besar yesterday, replacing PAS' Shukri Ramli, who resigned last week due to health reasons, amid an attempted coup led by Bersatu and three PAS assemblypersons.
PAS has since forfeited the trio's party membership and had their seats in the Perlis legislature vacated by the state speaker.
The Islamist party did not take kindly to a Bersatu politician leading the state, with a few of its leaders criticising Abu Bakar's appointment, viewing it as a betrayal by their partners in the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional.
However, Bersatu’s central leadership has denied involvement in any efforts to change the Perlis state government.
3B concept
Commenting further, Abu Bakar vowed to continue the salary cut for the duration of his term.
He explained that his administration's approach will be based on a 3B concept: bangkit (rise), bingkas (swift), and buat (create).
"We must rise from our comfort zone and rebuild the progressive work spirit that will be the key to the state's success, and (we) must dare to change to adapt to current challenges.
"Second, swift, where the entrusted power must be implemented efficiently, quickly and with integrity, and decisions must be made based on facts and the public interest.
"Third, create, which is that even with the capital we have, we must continue to act proactively. Constraints are not an excuse to not carry out tasks, but rather an incentive to work more creatively and effectively (and) let us work with our own mould that is motivated by Perlis Maju (Onwards Perlis)," he said.
New exco line-up
Separately, Sinar Harian quoted Abu Bakar as saying that the new line-up for the state executive council will be appointed within the next two weeks.
He said he must first discuss the matter with the state secretary, Rahimi Ismail, and then submit a proposal to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.
"The process for this new appointment will take some time, but for now, the existing exco will be the 'caretaker' for any events.
"God willing, I think in two weeks we will complete it. (Whether there is an increase or decrease in the number of exco members) We will take into account the budget and several factors.
"(This is) so that the administration or appointments of these exco members... can at least balance the leadership between the two parties (Bersatu and PAS) and the government administration can be completed in a good and harmonious manner," he said.
Yesterday, the state ruler called for PN assemblypersons in the state to unite and accept his decision to appoint Abu Bakar as the menteri besar.
The political conflict in the state comes at a time when PAS has signalled that it is ready to take over the PN leadership from Bersatu.
But Bersatu itself is facing a protracted bout of factionalism as grassroots leaders and divisions have withdrawn their support for party president Muhyiddin Yassin in favour of his deputy Hamzah Zainudin.
Notice of vacancies submitted
PN secured 14 state seats in Perlis during the 2022 general election, with PAS assemblypersons elected in nine seats while Bersatu figures held five. Pakatan Harapan, through a PKR candidate, won one seat.
Perlis assembly speaker Rus’sele Eizan has since confirmed that official notifications on the casual vacancies for Chuping, Bintong, and Guar Sanji - the three state seats held by the three former assemblypersons from PAS - were submitted to the Election Commission (EC) today.
Rus’sele said the notice also informed the EC of the reasons and necessity for holding by-elections in the three constituencies for the commission’s consideration.
“I leave everything to the consideration of the EC,” Bernama quoted him as telling reporters in Kangar today.
The three former assemblypersons from PAS were Saad Seman (Chuping), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong), and Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji). - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.