After days of uncertainty, Tambun Tulang state assemblyperson Shahidan Kassim is now expected to be sworn in as Perlis’ menteri besar early next week.

While it was reported that Shahidan has gotten his authorisation letter from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from Putrajaya, he still has to obtain the approval of Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

shahidan kassim and perlis and bn and umno It is learnt that Shahidan had met the Raja Perlis in Kuala Lumpur today and after having set aside their differences, the ruler would now allow Shahidan to be officially appointed again as the menteri besar as early as next Monday or Tuesday.

Shahidan’s supporters have been worried that although it is going to be almost five days since the general election, no preparation had been made at Istana Arau for the swearing-in ceremony until now.

The Shahidan-led BN had won 14 of the 15 Perlis state legislative assembly seats. Shahidan was also regularly seen in Putrajaya in meetings with Abdullah on his position as a menteri besar.

Shahidan had been the Perlis menteri besar since 1995 after winning the Tambun Tulang state seat and continued to defend the seat until the general election on Saturday.

A public fallout

In the run-up to the general election, the state Umno was embroiled in internal squabbles with Shahidan having a public fallout with two Perlis ministers, Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Azmi Khalid.

He also had differences with the younger brother of the Raja of Perlis, Syed Radzlan Syed Putra Jamalullail, who is the former Arau MP.

It is believed that Radzi has been using his influence of Abdullah in getting Shahidan replaced, thus the reason for him (Shahidan) to be in Putrajaya to counter whatever accusations made against him to the party president and premier.

On the other hand, his decision to ‘demote’ the popular Arau MP and the ruler’s brother to contest in a state seat is seen as an attempt by Shahidan to sideline Syed Radzlan.

As such, sources are saying that the Raja of Perlis had wanted to use that opportunity to promote his brother as the menteri besar.

However now Malaysiakini learnt that Shahidan has managed to obtain the approval of Abdullah as well as the Raja of Perlis and will be officially appointed next week.

Situation in Terengganu

idris jusoh and terengganu Meanwhile in Terengganu, the former menteri besar Idris Jusoh is also still waiting for the palace to give a go ahead for his swearing in as the menteri besar of Terengganu.

The swearing-in was supposed to take place on Monday but was postponed at the last minute to a date to be announced later.

It is learnt that the Terengganu sultan is not keen on retaining Idris as the menteri besar and wants either Rosol Wahid or Ahmad Said are a chosen replacement.

Rosol, the Umno state secretary, looks like a favourite at the moment.

Meanwhile, all the mentri besar and chief ministers in other states under BN control have been sworn in.