A no-win situation over MB post in Perlis

Frosty relationship between Arau Palace and former mentri besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim is difficult to be resolved and is likely to drag on.

THERE seems to be no solution to the Perlis mentri besar crisis.

Not only was Datuk Seri Azlan Man boycotted by his fellow Barisan Nasional state assemblymen during his swearing-in ceremony yesterday, his Umno membership was instantly revoked by Perlis Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

In the general election, Barisan won 10 of 15 state seats, thus gaining a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

After nearly two weeks without a state government, Shahidan and Perlis Barisan put forward Datuk Ismail Kassim, Shahidan’s younger brother, as an MB candidate.

The choice was rejected outright by the Arau Palace.

The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, wanted to retain Azlan as the Mentri Besar for a second term.

The problem was, Azlan did not get the mandate from Perlis Barisan as well as the assemblymen of his own party. Hence the crisis began. However, the public need to understand why the crisis is difficult to be resolved and thus is dragging on.

It revolves around the frosty relationship between the Palace and Shahidan, which started from the time he was the mentri besar of Perlis between 1995 and 2008.

Their strained ties are mainly attributed to a clash of characters and strong personalities.

A royal is a royal, and Tuanku will not look favourably on being overshadowed by a big character who behaves like a “king” in a small state like Perlis.

For instance, the grand Hari Raya open houses organised by Shahidan, with its many presents and door gifts, were frequently compared to the events organised by the Palace.

The Palace was not too happy about this, but true to his gung-ho attitude, Shahidan did not think much of these sensitivities.

He persisted with his ways, much like a warlord who does not compromise in a situation like this.

The spat will drag on for as long as no party is willing to compromise and give way for a solution to be reached.

Shahidan’s manner of speaking in a press conference he held to reject Azlan’s appointment as MB clearly showed he was not surprised, neither was he afraid of incurring the Raja’s wrath through his actions.

In fact, he shouted: “If you want to appoint an MB that does not have the mandate of a party with two-thirds majority, it is better to have no election. Appoint whoever you like as the MB.”

Asked by reporters on whether his actions will anger the Raja, Shahidan replied: “What is murka (wrath)? Tell me

what it means. We contested the elections, we have the right to decide who should be our mentri besar.

“I appeal to the Raja to respect the Constitution and not interfere in administrative matters of the state.

“I also urge the Prime Minister to intervene in matters like this,” said Shahidan, the third-term MP for Arau.

According to him, he had compromised in three general elections, first in 2008, then in 2013 and now the 2018 polls.

He said in all three elections, he had brought a two-thirds majority win for Barisan in the state, and Perlis Barisan had never been defeated in election history.

This time, however, Shahidan insisted he will not move an inch anymore because he had the rakyat’s electoral mandate.

At the same time, the Raja is refusing to give in.

In fact, in his speech during the MB swearing-in ceremony yesterday morning, Tuanku criticised the Barisan state assemblymen, including Shahidan, for boycotting the ceremony.

His Highness added that he did not want a puppet to be appointed mentri besar (meaning Ismail), and questioned Shahidan why he did not contest a state seat if he wanted to be the MB himself.

It is clear that the crisis in Perlis is not about a party or a mentri besar candidate but a battle between the Palace and Shahidan.