Perlis crisis: Hamzah calls for calm, wisdom in actions taken

 

Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin has reminded all parties to remain calm and handle political developments in Perlis with maturity.

This comes amid pressure from PAS for Bersatu to take action against five of its state assemblypersons who are alleged to have signed statutory declarations (SDs) declaring a loss of confidence in Perlis Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli.

Hamzah (above) said any political decisions and positions must be guided by the welfare of the people of Perlis and the long-term continuity of the state administration.

“The people place full confidence that His Royal Highness the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, will exercise his wisdom and prerogative powers in accordance with the state constitution to determine the appointment of a new menteri besar,” he added in a statement yesterday.

Politics in Perlis has been in turmoil following moves to remove Shukri through the actions of eight assembly members - three from PAS and five from Bersatu.

They are also said to have submitted SDs to the Perlis ruler, declaring a loss of confidence in Shukri.

Memberships terminated

Following this, PAS announced that the party memberships of its three Perlis assemblypersons had been terminated with immediate effect. They are Saad Seman (Chuping), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong), and Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji).

Perlis state assembly speaker Rus’sele Eizan subsequently announced extraordinary vacancies in the three constituencies.

Perlis MB Shukri Ramli

On Thursday, Shukri, who is also the Sanglang assemblyperson, announced his resignation as Perlis menteri besar.

Previously, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man urged Bersatu to take firm action against its five assembly members, saying it was important as a sign of respect for component partners within Perikatan Nasional.

Hamzah stressed that the mandate given by voters in the 15th general election must be respected, as PN was entrusted with governing the state.

“The priority is to ensure that the Perlis government continues to function well and can fully focus its attention on the welfare and needs of the people,” he said. - Mkini