Selected state assemblypersons will be sworn in as Perlis executive councillors (exco members) next week, despite the ongoing menteri besar crisis, Perlis Umno secretary Zahidi Zainul Abidin said.

Even so, Zahidi said, the party would still be taking the matter of the appointment of Azlan Man as Perlis menteri besar to court.

"They (the selected exco members) will be sworn in, in accordance to the decree of Tuanku (the Perlis ruler). (At the same time,) we are firm in our stand to take the matter (of Azlan's appointment as menteri besar) to court," he told Malaysiakini.

Perlis is only one of two states in Peninsula Malaysia retained by BN in last month's general election.

However, its state leaders are unable to agree on a choice of menteri besar.

It was reported that Perlis BN would be seeking legal redress as it claimed Azlan's appointment as menteri besar contradicted with the Perlis Constitution.

Article 39 (6) of the Constitution states that the menteri besar should step down if he does not have support.

'Settled? Nothing's settled'

However, this went against Perlis ruler Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail’s decision to appoint Azlan, who took his oath as the menteri besar of the new Perlis government last month.

Azlan's swearing-in was not attended by the nine BN state assemblypersons as they objected to his appointment as MB.

Zahidi said his side would refer to any new developments before deciding on their next course of action, since the legal process was still ongoing.

However, a report by Utusan Malaysia yesterday quoted Chuping assemblyperson Asmaiza Ahmad as saying the nine BN assemblypersons have finally relented on the matter of Azlan's appointment, possibly signalling an end to the imbroglio.

Zahidi dismissed the statement as Azmaiza's personal opinion and said it is not representative of the state assemblypersons.

"He cannot make any decision. What is his post? He says (the matter) is settled, but what is settled?" Zahidi added.