Perlis MB crisis goes to court

All nine Perlis BN assemblypersons opposed to the appointment of Azlan Man as menteri besar will take the matter to court, a source has revealed.

The source stated that without the support of these nine lawmakers, Azlan effectively does not have majority support in the state, which according to state law, compels him to step down from his position.

“Article 39 (2)(a) of the state constitution states that the raja should appoint someone who, in his opinion, has the support of the majority of assemblypersons to be menteri besar to lead the state assembly.

“And according to Article 39 (6), the menteri besar has to step down if there is no support, and that is what has happened to Azlan.

“And so, the legal process is underway,” the source said.

The move, the source stressed, should not be considered to be in defiance of Perlis ruler Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail’s decision to appoint Azlan.

“Perlis BN is only opposed to Azlan being menteri besar, not the raja. They are still loyal to the raja.”

On May 24, the nine assemblypersons boycotted Azlan's swearing-in ceremony at Istana Arau.

They held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on the same day, led by state BN chief Shahidan Kassim, suggesting that the menteri besar be sacked from Umno.

They even lodged a police report against the appointment, saying it contravened state law and the Federal Constitution.

Last Friday, the lawmakers apologised to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin in a press conference, but reaffirmed their opposition to Azlan's appointment.

“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.

“We are confident the rakyat will understand,” Perlis BN secretary Zahidi Zainul Abidin had said.

Since the 14th general election, Perlis remains the only state without a legislative assembly, despite BN having won 10 of the 15 state seats. -Mkini