Perlis MB: My post is a responsibility that must be carried out well

The newly-minted Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the position is a responsibility entrusted by the people to him, which therefore needs to be carried out properly.

The Perlis Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson said he and his peers that were elected by the people in the 15th general election (GE15) would work hard to implement the PN manifesto of building a clean and stable government to give rise to a “New Perlis”.

"Changes especially in terms of economic and human resource development as promised in the PN manifesto will be implemented in stages as we cannot do it drastically," he told Bernama today.

Earlier, Shukri (above) was sworn in as the new menteri besar before Perlis Ruler, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Green Room in Istana Arau.

Shukri, 61, who is more popularly known as Cikgu Shukri, expressed his gratitude to the Perlis people for giving their mandate to PN in the polls.

The state PAS commissioner who joined the party in 1990, also said that he hoped the people could give some time to the new state government to bring about changes.

Meeting government officials soon

Wasting no time, Shukri said he wanted to meet with the state’s senior government officials to discuss what needs to be done to safeguard people’s welfare.

This is in addition to holding a special ceremony to honour the contributions, services and sacrifices of leaders of the previous government, namely the BN, especially the former menteri besar Azlan Man and the state executive council members.

Shukri said he would fully utilise his experience as a three-term assemblyperson for the Sanglang state constituency and as a teacher for 28 years to help him carry out his new responsibility.

When asked about the appointment of the new state government exco members, he said: "Roughly, I have outlined that six of the exco members will be appointed from PAS and three more from Bersatu.

“And this matter will be brought up at the Perlis PN meeting that will be held soon."

PN managed to form the state government after winning 14 out of 15 state legislative assembly seats, in addition to securing three parliamentary seats namely Padang Besar, Arau and Kangar in GE15.

Meanwhile, Shukri’s wife Najwah Othman, 53, said she was shocked when told that her husband would be appointed as the new Perlis menteri besar.

"I only found out about it early this morning, and that was when he asked me to prepare black baju Melayu, songkok and sampin," she said when met today.

The housewife said her husband did not inform any of their family members about the appointment.

Njawah said they would always support Shukri so that he could carry out his duties well for the Perlis people.

- Bernama

First non-BN Perlis MB sworn in

LETTER | A strong PAS in govt spells doom and gloom

Perlis PN will present MB candidate's name to state ruler today

BN leaders batten down hatches as Harapan, PN storm strongholds