PAS v PAS, Perlis 'tebuk atap' crisis most disgraceful - Mahfuz

 

Amanah has described the turmoil in the Perlis state government as a clear reflection of the failure of PAS and Perikatan Nasional to govern with discipline and capability, culminating in what it called the most disgraceful form of “tebuk atap” (backdoor) politics.

Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar said the crisis has gone beyond differences of opinion and become an open conflict within the government, with state executive councillors, as well as Bersatu and PAS assemblypersons, opposing the menteri besar and the party itself.

“This crisis is not new but has dragged on for more than a year. Various leadership changes were made, the PAS commissioner was replaced, a new PN chairperson was appointed, and closed-door negotiations were held, yet all failed.

“This proves an undeniable fact. The real problem is the internal power struggle within PAS and PN’s failure to control its own coalition,” he claimed.

“Perlis is a small state, smaller in area than a single district in Kedah, and its population is also small.

“Yet, it is deeply embarrassing that such a small state has become the most unstable, the most chaotic and the most shameful in terms of political governance.

“If even a small state cannot be managed, this is not a matter of challenge, but of unfitness,” Mahfuz said in a media statement today.

Plot to topple MB

The former Pokok Sena MP was commenting on the turmoil in the Perlis government after three PAS assemblypersons had their party membership terminated with immediate effect.

The three are Chuping assemblyperson Saad Seman, Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong), and Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji).

The move is believed to be linked to the political upheaval in Perlis following efforts to topple the leadership of Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli.

Perlis MB Shukri Ramli

Mahfuz said the situation represented the most disgraceful level of “tebuk atap” politics, with those involved tearing through the roof of a house they themselves built.

Alluding to the 2020 Sheraton Move that toppled Pakatan Harapan’s first stint in Putrajaya, he said PN had previously “torn through the roof” of someone else’s house, and was now doing the same to its own.

“Perhaps there really is a ‘pelesit’ (evil spirit) in the Perlis government, to the point that the people’s mandate is betrayed by greed for power.

“There is no external pressure, no political enemy. The PN government in Perlis is provoking the people because of greed and internal power struggles,” he claimed.

Losing moral authority

Targeting his former party, Mahfuz claimed the recent happenings have exposed PAS as a party that has failed to manage its own internal affairs.

“The struggle for influence within PAS Perlis is no longer a secret. It is open, prolonged, and embarrassing. Religion is shouted from the stage, but power is fought over behind the scenes,” he said.

He added that when assemblypersons from the same party and coalition lose confidence in their own leadership, it is a sign of total political leadership failure.

“PAS and PN have lost their moral authority to speak about stability, integrity, and governance.

“The people of Perlis are being held hostage to endless internal infighting.

“State administration is neglected, public confidence has collapsed, and PAS’s own hands damage the image of Islamic politics,” he stressed.

Separately, Perlis Amanah, in a statement, said the state chapter is closely monitoring ongoing developments and preparing to face the possibility of by-elections. - Mkini