Shahidan denies he had a stroke

The Arau MP is believed to be suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome

Perlis Umno chairman Shahidan Kassim says he suffers from some numbness in his legs.

ARAU: Perlis Umno chairman and Arau MP Shahidan Kassim has denied a news report that he had a minor stroke recently.

He told FMT that he was experiencing some numbness in his legs.

“I have been back in Perlis for the past four days, and have been attending buka puasa events on a daily basis, as well as meeting voters and state Umno leaders,” he said.

A source closed to Shahidan said the former menteri besar is believed to be suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).The syndrome is a disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells in the body’s peripheral nervous system. This leads to weakness, numbness, and a tingling sensation.

The source said that three days after the May 9 general election, Shahidan was admitted to hospital after complaining of discomfort.

Since then, Shahidan had been in and out of hospital and had been undergoing treatment, including physiotherapy sessions.

Shahidan recently said on Facebook that he would return to hospital for treatment after the Hari Raya celebrations.

The former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department had recently been in the media spotlight when nine Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen aligned to him boycotted the swearing in of Azlan Man as Perlis menteri besar on May 24.

The boycott by the nine incurred the wrath of Perlis ruler Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, who voiced his displeasure and anger over their absence, despite the invitation having been sent out several days earlier.

Shahidan subsequently said Azlan would be sacked from Umno. Shahidan had also reportedly asked the Perlis ruler not to interfere in the state’s administration.

Eight of the nine assemblymen were today sworn in as state executive councillors before Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin at Istana Arau. -FMT