Perlis speaker retracts request for by-elections in three seats

Perlis legislature speaker Rus’sele Eizan has retracted a notice to the Election Commission stating a need for by-elections in three seats in the state.

However, the seats, which were previously held by PAS assemblypersons who had sided with Bersatu in a power struggle, will remain vacant.

The trio, Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong) dan Saad Seman (Chuping), had lost their seats after PAS triggered the state's anti-hopping law by forfeiting their party membership.

Speaking to the media, Rus'sele said that there was no further need for by-elections in the three seats as PAS had pledged to support the new Perlis state government led by Bersatu.

"As such I find that the majority of the Perlis government is not threatened by the three vacancies, as such there is no need for by-elections in those seats," he said.

Sinar Harian had livestreamed the speaker's press conference.

By-elections not mandatory

Under Malaysian law, by-elections are not mandatory for legislatures that have completed three years of their term. Perlis had passed this milestone on Dec 19, while the three vacancies were only announced on Dec 25.

At the time, PAS and Bersatu were at loggerheads after five Bersatu state lawmakers and the now-seatless trio stage a coup against Shukri Ramli as menteri besar.

This led to Shukri's resignation, and Perlis Bersatu chief Abu Bakar Hamzah was subsequently installed as menteri besar.

PAS was assuaged when Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin resigned as Perikatan Nasional chief, opening the door for the Islamist party to take over the coalition's leadership.

However, while it has pledge to uphold the state government, PAS will not take any exco posts in Abu Bakar's administration.

With PAS' support, Abu Bakar commands the support of 11 assemblypersons in Perlis, three more than required for a simple majority in the 15-seat legislature.

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