Perlis crisis ends after eight Umno reps sworn in as exco members

KANGAR: The political upheaval in Perlis seems to have calmed after eight out of nine 'rebel' Umno assemblymen were sworn in as state executive councillors on Wednesday (June 13).

The Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man witnessed the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Arau here.

After the ceremony, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said the crisis in Perlis should never have happened.

"This crisis has cost us valuable time. Let this be a lesson to us and may it never happen again," he said.

The crisis erupted when nine assemblymen aligned to Perlis Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim boycotted the swearing-in of Azlan on May 24.

This enraged the state Ruler, who said the assemblymen's actions showed a lack of respect.

He had earlier said that he did not pick Tambun Tulang assemblyman Datuk Ismail Kassim as mentri besar as he did not want a "puppet" controlled by others.

Shahidan shot back, saying Ismail had the backing of Umno assemblymen and Azlan should be sacked for accepting the post.

He filed a suit at Perlis High Court last month challenging Azlan's legitimacy as mentri besar.

The eight assemblymen who filled the eight exco posts are Asmaiza Ahmad (Chuping), Nurulhisham Yaacob (Simpang Empat), Azizan Sulsiman (Santan), Hamizan Hassan (Kayang), Rozaini Rais (Beseri), Rozieana Ahmad (Pauh), Siti Berene Yahaya (Mata Ayer), Teh Chai Ann (Titi Tinggi).

Ismail, the ninth and Umno state representative for Tambun Tulang, was not selected.