KANGAR: Perlis Perikatan Nasional (PN) has urged all parties to refrain from exerting excessive pressure on Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah as he carries out his duties, while efforts are made to restore public confidence in the coalition.
Its chairman, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, said he hoped no party within PN or among its coalition partners would place undue pressure on the Menteri Besar.
“As PN, we have never pressured him. What we want is for appointments to reflect that Perlis is governed under PN, not under any single party,” he told reporters today.
Shahidan said the priority now was for Perlis PN to move forward and put recent developments behind them.
“The party’s decision is clear. Pas supports the state government but will not be part of the exco.
“Our position is in line with the Pas secretary-general’s statement that the current state government continues to be supported, although Pas is not joining the exco,” he said.
However, Shahidan said appointments to other posts, such as political secretaries, press secretaries and special officers, should be made in a balanced manner between Pas and Bersatu.
“For other appointments, we hope there will be a fair balance between Pas and Bersatu,” he said.
He added that appointments within the state administration should also reflect the presence of PN’s two main component parties and not be dominated by a single party.
Commenting on the legal action taken by three former state assemblymen against the state legislative assembly speaker Rus’sele Eizan, Shahidan said it was their right to pursue legal action.
“In my view, any action may be taken as it involves elected representatives and their legal rights, but my approach leans towards diplomacy, and we will also adhere to the statement issued by the party’s disciplinary committee,” he said.
Yesterday, Guar Sanji assemblyman Mohd Ridzuan Hashim, Bintong assemblyman Fakhrul Anwar Ismail, and Chuping assemblyman Saad Seman filed an originating summons at the Kangar High Court to challenge the decision declaring their seats vacant.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
