BN reps apologise to Perlis ruler, but still against Azlan as MB

The nine Perlis BN assemblypersons who had boycotted the appointment of Azlan Man as the state menteri besar apologised to the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, in a press conference today. 

However, they are still very much against Azlan's appointment to helm the state. 

Perlis BN secretary Zahidi Zainul Abidin, who led the press conference at a hotel in Perlis with seven of the representatives, said: "We apologise (to the ruler) but still reject Azlan Man.

"No one ran away. We are still loyal to the ruler, we hope the misunderstanding with the ruler can be settled, it's just that we don't want Azlan Man. We are confident the rakyat will understand. Why we don't want (Azlan), we will explain to Tuanku (the state ruler)," he said in the press conference, which was broadcast live on Astro Awani's Facebook page. 

Zahidi said that all the nine representatives are waiting for the green light from the state ruler to hold the meeting.

Earlier today, Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau had reported that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had met with Syed Sirajuddin and suggested dissolving the state assembly and calling for a reelection to solve the leadership impasse. 

On May 24, nine Perlis assemblypersons from BN boycotted Azlan's swearing-in ceremony at Istana Arau, saying he did not command the support of the majority, despite his appointment being greenlit by the state ruler. 

The nine representatives also held a press conference in PWTC, on the same day, led by state BN chief Shahidan Kassim, suggesting Azlan to be sacked from Umno. 

The assemblypersons had lodged a police report against Azlan's appointment, saying it was against the state law and the Federal Constitution.

Perlis remains the only state without a state assembly, three weeks after the 14th general election on May 9, despite BN having won 10 of the 15 state seats. 

Conventionally, the state ruler has to appoint an assemblyperson who commands the support of the majority, to helm the state. 

Meanwhile, Zahidi who is also Padang Besar MP also dismissed suggestions that a by-election is held in the state. 

"The rakyat has chosen BN, we won the majority. We won based on support gained on the ground, the rakyat have made their choice, and we would like to serve them," he said. -Mkini