Perlis crisis: BN assemblymen told to seek forgiveness, Shahidan urged to resign
PADANG BESAR, May 27 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblyman who are considered to have gone against the decree of the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail should immediately apologise to His Royal Highness, or resign as representatives of the people.
Panggas Kecil UMNO Branch chief Md Isa Seman, representing all the branch heads in the Chuping state constituency said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim should also resign, because a people's representative could not object to the royal decree.
"These people (assemblymen) are not ordinary people...the people feel very angry, after giving them the mandate, they leave the people. Don't be with us anymore then.
"If you refuse to apologise to His Royal Highness, then we will take more serious action. Do not look down on community leaders like us," he told reporters during a gathering to express his support for Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin in Chuping, near here, today.
On Thursday, nine BN assemblymen were absent from the inauguration and swearing-in of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man, who is also from BN, saying he did not command the support of the majority.
They instead joined state BN chairman Shahidan in Kuala Lumpur, who later, during a press conference announced the proposal to remove Azlan's membership from the party.
The move had greatly upset the monarch, saying the final decision to appoint the menteri besar was under his jurisdiction, in accordance with the state constitution.
Also present at the rally today were representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Persatuan Solidariti Nasional (Persona), Persatuan Perlis Silat Pesaka, and representatives of the Siamese community in Chuping.
Persona Perlis chairman Abdul Rahim Ahmad said there were many problems that should first be resolved by BN rather than to conduct such public protests, what more involving the royal institution.
"Administrative affairs should be sorted out, and a government formed as soon as possible in Perlis to improve (the current situation).
"The assemblymen have been urged to re-think their actions, and heed to His Royal Hignhness' decree in order to end this crisis," he said.
-- BERNAMA
