Puad predicts more 'drama' for PN in Perlis, but shuts door on MN pact

Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi has forecast more political turbulence for Perikatan Nasional in Perlis following the resignation of Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli two days ago.

“They are partners within PN - unless PAS and Bersatu break ties.

“It is expected that more backstabbing 'drama' will happen. Just that it will not revive Muafakat Nasional. Umno has learnt its lesson," he said in a social media post yesterday in reference to the Umno-PAS pact formed before the 2022 general election.

Previously, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh suggested that PN be dissolved and MN revived following political developments in Perlis.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, in response, said the proposal could be achieved as soon as Umno breaks its current ties with Pakatan Harapan in government.

Perlis politics has been thrown into turmoil after eight state assemblypersons - three from PAS and five from Bersatu - moved to oust Shukri through statutory declarations stating their loss of support, submitted to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

PAS subsequently terminated the membership of its three assemblypersons, leading Perlis state assembly speaker Rus’ele Eizan to declare extraordinary vacancies in their seats.

‘Let Bersatu take over’

Puad (above) urged PAS to adopt a magnanimous stance and hand over the state government leadership to Bersatu to avoid administrative uncertainty.

“PAS should be gentlemanly. Just let Bersatu take over. Don’t leave the state administration hanging. Put the people first,” he said.

The menteri besar’s post, Puad said, should be handed to Bersatu, since the majority of assemblypersons who withdrew support for Shukri were from the party.

“Logically, Perlis needs a new menteri besar. And that new menteri besar must be from Bersatu, because five out of the eight (assemblypersons) who withdrew support from Shukri are from Bersatu,” he said.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had called on Bersatu to also act firmly against the five other assemblypersons involved.

Puad, however, said it would be almost impossible for Bersatu to take disciplinary action against the five assemblypersons involved, as the situation presents the party with an opportunity to govern a state.

“It’s impossible for Bersatu to sack five of its assemblypersons who withdrew support. This is Bersatu’s best opportunity to govern a state,” he argued.

Yesterday, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin reminded all parties to remain calm and handle political developments in Perlis with maturity.

Hamzah said the people’s mandate in the 15th general election must be respected, as PN was given the trust to govern the state.

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