Perlis MB Shahidan not on chopping block
Amidst widespread speculation that Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim would be dropped from the BN’s list of candidates for the state, a newspaper SMS alert received at 4pm stated the contrary.
Amidst widespread speculation that Perlis Menteri Besar Shahidan Kassim would be dropped from the BN’s list of candidates for the state, a newspaper SMS alert received at 4pm stated the contrary.
The alert said that Shahidan has confirmed he would be vying for a state seat in the March 8 polls.
Shahidan, menteri besar of the nation's smallest state since 1995, has been embroiled in a public spat with two senior Umno leaders in the state but remained hugely popular among the grassroots.
It is a well known fact that Shahidan had a tense relationship with two members of Parliament from the state - Azmi Khalid and Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, both of whom are federal ministers.
Told pressmen in Putrajaya
Azmi and Radzi are incumbents for Padang Besar and Kangar seats respectively. Radzi had openly said that Shahidan should be replaced as the menteri besar and the state’s Umno chief.
Shahidan contested at the Tambun Tulang state seat in 2004 and defeated PAS’ strong man Harun Din comfortably.
Meanwhile, a Bahasa online daily reported that Shahidan told reporters after Friday prayers in Putrajaya that he would be vying for a state seat in the coming polls.
Whether he would be re-appointed Perlis chief executive after the polls remains the prerogative of the prime minister and Barisan Nasional chairperson.
Malaysiakini contacted several state leaders today but they denied any knowledge and said that they were also waiting for the full list to be announced.
