End in sight to Perlis MB impasse?

The Perlis state secretary’s office has sent out an invitation for the swearing in of the new MB.

GEORGE TOWN: An end to the Perlis menteri besar stalemate could be in sight, with a new candidate expected to be sworn in tomorrow morning.

According to an invitation from the Perlis state secretary’s office sighted by FMT, the ceremony will take place at 10.15am at the Istana Arau in Arau, Perlis.

The swearing in is expected to take place before Perlis Raja Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

However, it is still unclear who the new menteri besar will be.

Perlis is the only state in the country which does not yet have a menteri besar sworn in, two weeks after the May 9 election.

Barisan Nasional (BN) had secured 10 out of 15 state seats, obtaining a two-thirds majority to form the state government.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) won three state seats, while PAS won two.

It was previously reported that Perlis BN chairman Shahidan Kassim had proposed Tambun Tulang assemblyman Ismail Kassim as the new menteri besar. Ismail is Shahidan’s younger brother.

However, former Perlis menteri besar Azlan Man, who contested and won in Bintong, was later reported as saying he was not aware of such a proposal.

It is believed that the delay in nomination of the new menteri besar follows a dispute between a Shahidan-led faction and another faction of elected representatives led by Azlan.

Yesterday, Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has assumed the duties of the party president, sought an audience with the Raja of Perlis, believed to be over the menteri besar stalemate.

Zahid was accompanied by Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, who is undertaking the duties of the deputy president. Their audience with the Raja of Perlis lasted for about an hour and 20 minutes.

Both leaders were seen exiting the palace grounds at about 1.15pm. However, neither responded to members of the media who were also there. -FMT