MB: Perlis exco chosen after discussions with PN leadership

The appointment of Perlis exco members was made after discussions with the Perikatan Nasional leadership, said Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

"I referred to the (PN) leadership. There were demands to up the quota of Bersatu excos (to two) since the state speaker is from PAS.

"Therefore, I named Tambun Tulang assemblyperson Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak based on his capability to perform his duties," Shukri (above), who is also state PAS commissioner, was quoted as saying by the party mouthpiece Harakahdaily.

He was responding to the criticism by Perlis Bersatu chief Abu Bakar Hamzah that he was “sidelined” from the state's exco line-up.

In alleging so, Abu Bakar also accused Shukri of disrespecting a support letter given by PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin on that matter.

In addition, Abu Bakar also claimed that he was “backstabbed” by certain state Bersatu leaders on the exco line-up issue.

Elaborating, Shukri said the relationship between PAS and Bersatu (both PN components) in Perlis, is still cordial.

He stressed that he would meet Muhyiddin soon to discuss the issue.

Perlis currently has three Bersatu exco members. Aside from Wan Zikri, the two others are Titi Tinggi assemblyperson Izizam Ibrahim and Megat Hashirat Hassan (Pauh).

Abu Bakar recently claimed that Perlis PAS is plagued by infighting, impacting the PN coalition in the state and its administration.

He claimed that the internal row spans several issues including "religious understanding" and matters related to state governance.

Abu Bakar then urged PN's top leadership to go to Perlis to help resolve the issue.

Four Bersatu reps back MB’s leadership

Four Bersatu assemblypersons, including three exco members who took their oaths yesterday, have pledged their support for Shukri.

According to a report by Berita Harian, the three excos - Izizam, Megat, and Wan Zikri - as well as Sena assemblyperson Marzita Mansor declared their support for Shukri’s administration.

Izizam was quoted by the Malay daily as saying that the exco line-up, especially from Bersatu, is committed to helping the menteri besar and to focusing on the administration of the state government for the benefit of the people.

He said there are no issues within the state Bersatu although there are “one or two leaders” who attempted to cause trouble to disrupt the harmonious relationship between the party and PAS.

“Being an exco member is a big responsibility. So, if we are always arguing about politics, it will never end,” he was quoted as saying.

Izizam also refuted Abu Bakar’s claims that both him and Megat were the “masterminds” in the scheme to ensure that the Kuala Perlis assemblyperson was not elected as an exco member.

“I deny the allegations, they are baseless.

“It is better that we focus on our duty to help the people rather than to continue playing politics like this,” he reportedly said.

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