The Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has expressed concern and fear that if a Perlis menteri besar closely linked to state Umno chief Shahidan Kassim is be appointed, he would be a "puppet controlled by external factors".

Referring to Shahidan's brother Ismail Kassim, the Tuanku said government secrets must remain within the cabinet but this may not remain so if they were brothers.

"What is discussed in the government should be kept within the cabinet but if there are brothers, information will get out.

"If Shahidan wanted the post, he should have contested a state seat, but he did not," the Tuanku added during the swearing-in ceremony of Azlan Man as the menteri besar of Perlis...