KANGAR: The brewing political turmoil in Perlis has begun to affect stability and harmony there, says the state Pakatan Harapan chapter.
Amid uncertainty over the position of Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, Perlis Pakatan believes the situation is no longer an internal crisis within the governing Perikatan Nasional coalition.
It now affects the stability of the state administration, the harmony of the constitutional monarchy and the people's well-being, Perlis Pakatan said in a statement issued on Monday (Dec 22).
ALSO READ: Perlis MB’s position in limbo after reps withdraw support
"The ongoing withdrawal of support and immature political manoeuvring risk dragging the Raja of Perlis into a crisis that should be resolved prudently within Perikatan itself.
"The institution of the Raja must be respected and should not be used as an exit route for failures of political leadership," it read.
The statement came as Shukri’s position is said to be in limbo after several state assemblymen reportedly withdrew support for him.
It was reported that sources said the assemblymen had lost confidence in Shukri and were unhappy with the way the state was being run under his leadership.
They were said to have submitted statutory declarations to the Raja of Perlis last week, informing the ruler that they had withdrawn their support.
Shukri, who is from PAS, is currently hospitalised in Kuala Lumpur after suffering chest pain upon returning from a working visit to China.
ALSO READ: Perlis MB hospitalised after experiencing chest pains, in stable condition
Perlis Pakatan said Malaysians had already sent a clear message following the political upheaval of February 2020 that stability must be the foundation of governance.
"The enactment of the Anti-Party Hopping Act and amendments to party constitutions must not be mere legal cosmetics.
"They must function effectively to ensure the people’s mandate is respected.
"If the existing framework remains weak, it must be strengthened in the interest of democracy and the country’s future," it added.
Touching on governance, it said that although Perikatan won the 15th General Election in Perlis, the state administration had failed to live up to its "clean and stable" slogan.
"With an almost absolute majority in the state assembly, the focus should have been on development and the welfare of the people.
"Instead, what we see is continuous politicking, internal conflict and failure to resolve basic problems faced by the rakyat," it said, pointing to shortcomings in the handling of recent floods as evidence of administrative failure.
"The people do not judge by slogans, but by actions. When a real crisis occurred, the state government failed to act efficiently, in an organised manner and effectively," it said.
Perlis Pakatan said it would continue to monitor developments and was prepared for any eventuality, including the possible dissolution of the state assembly.
"With governing experience, strong cooperation with parties in the unity government at the federal and state levels, and a commitment to transparent, stable and people-centred governance, Perlis Pakatan is ready to offer new leadership for the state.
"We are confident the people of Perlis want a mature, stable and credible state government that truly works for them," it added.
There are 15 state assemblymen in Perlis, with PAS holding nine seats and Bersatu five.
PKR’s Gan Ay Ling is the sole opposition assemblyman and is also said to have submitted a statutory declaration.
