State secretary: Azlan Man's appointment as Perlis MB valid, can't be disputed

Datuk Seri Azlan Man. -Starpic

KUDAT: Datuk Seri Azlan Man's appointment as Mentri Besar of Perlis is valid , said state secretary Datuk Dr Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan.

He said on Friday (May 25) that in accordance with the state Constitution, the appointment of Azlan was consented by the Ruler of the state, Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, and could not be disputed.

“The best thing the nine Barisan Nasional state assemblymen who did not attend the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Arau (in Perlis) yesterday can do is to unite and support Azlan as the Mentri Besar.

“I find it hard to advise them but it will be a good idea for them to give priority to the interests of the state,” he told reporters when asked to comment on the absence of the nine assemblymen at the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Arau on Thursday (May 24).

Syed Omar was met here while participating in the Perlis government's Ops Pasir 2018 delegation to Sabah, upon the completion of the swearing-in ceremony. The annual programme started on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday (May 27).

He said prior to the swearing-in ceremony, the state secretary office's protocol division had made phone calls, sent short messages as well as WhatsApp messages to the assemblymen but did not get any reply.

“Of course Tuanku (Raja of Perlis) was sad that they did not attend the ceremony while three Pakatan Harapan assemblymen and two PAS assemblymen were present. It is difficult to say, but I hope a snap state election will not happen.

“Whatever it is, we will wait and see the next development,” said Syed Omar, adding that Azlan's powers as the head of the state government was not affected.

He said he would further discuss the appointment of state executive councillors with Azlan on Monday (May 28).

Despite the absence of the Mentri Besar for two weeks after the 14th General Election on May 9, Syed Omar said the state government's business went smoothly as all civil servants understood their responsibilities.

In GE14, Barisan won 10 out of 15 state seats contested to form the state government but a crisis erupted when the Perlis Umno liaison committee chairman boycotted the ceremony after his candidate for the Mentri Besar post failed to receive the consent from Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.

In another development, Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who led the Ops Pasir 2018 delegation, handed over equipment worth RM100,000 to Kudat Hospital director Dr Eva Candra Susanti Suhali. -Bernama