KANGAR: Perlis Pakatan Harapan is prepared for a state election following the uncertainty over the position of Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
In a statement, the state Pakatan said it is presenting itself as a viable alternative, adding that it is now ready for any eventuality, including the dissolution of the state assembly.
“With our governing experience and strong cooperation with unity government partners at both federal and state levels, Perlis Pakatan is ready to offer new leadership for the state.
“We are committed to transparent, stable and people-focused governance.
“We are confident the people of Perlis want a state government that is mature, stable and credible, and not one that’s constantly mired in politics and internal turmoil,” the statement said yesterday.
It was earlier reported that eight state assemblymen had lost confidence in Mohd Shukri, with some unhappy over the way the state was being run under his leadership.
They are said to have submitted statutory declarations (SDs) to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail last week, informing the Ruler that they had withdrawn their support for him.
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 an SD.
Pakatan said the ongoing upheaval was no longer merely an internal crisis within the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition.
“It has significantly affected the stability of the state administration, the harmony of the constitutional monarchy and the well-being of the people,” it added.
Pakatan said from a constitutional perspective, the withdrawal of support is seen as immature political manoeuvring that risks drawing the Raja of Perlis into a crisis that should be resolved prudently within Perikatan itself.
“The royal institution must be respected and should not be used as an exit for the failure of political leadership,” Pakatan said in the statement.
Several assemblymen declined to comment when contacted yesterday, with some rejecting calls and leaving messages unread.
As Mohd Shukri is currently receiving treatment for chest pain after returning from a working visit to China, there has been no official response from any elected representative in Perlis.
It is understood that the development is closely linked to prolonged internal tensions within Perikatan in Perlis, including strained relations between Mohd Shukri and several elected representatives from parties within the ruling coalition.
Mata Ayer assemblyman Wan Badariah Wan Saad, who is state women, family and community development committee chairman, said she had heard of claims that eight Perlis assemblymen had signed SDs to withdraw their support.
“My hope is that this allegation is not true and is merely political manoeuvring,” she said.
Without the support of eight assemblymen, Mohd Shukri would lose a simple majority to remain as Mentri Besar.
In 2023, similar calls were made by Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah of Bersatu, who openly urged Mohd Shukri to resign.
Abu Bakar said Mohd Shukri had failed to appoint him as an executive councillor despite encouragement from Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In 2024, talk emerged on social media and in several reports alleging that Mohd Shukri had been asked to step down, claims that were dismissed by the state PAS leadership.
