SHAH ALAM: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) has strongly denied that the party is involved in the political crisis that has hit the state of Perlis.
Muhyiddin said that Bersatu did not play a role in sabotaging PAS in Perlis and that the accusation of being traitors was incorrect, according to Sinar Harian.
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"We did nothing. My party and I were not involved in this matter. Many parties in Perlis admitted that we were not involved.
"Whenever a decision has been made by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, we must respect the absolute authority of the Raja of Perlis," he said.
He said this after chairing the Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council meeting at the Bersatu headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on Wednesday (Jan 12).
The Perlis political crisis began after five Bersatu state assemblymen (ADUNs) and three PAS assemblymen reportedly submitted their sworn declarations (SDs) to the Palace to replace Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
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On Dec 26, Bersatu submitted three names for Menteri Besar candidates: Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah, Megat Hashirat Hassan (Pauh), and Izizam Ibrahim (Titi Tinggi).
PAS then put forward two candidate names after Bersatu did the same.
The move followed Mohd Shukri's voluntary resignation as Menteri Besar on Dec 25 due to health reasons.
The crisis was resolved when Kuala Perlis assemblyman from Bersatu, Abu Bakar Hamzah, was sworn in as the ninth Menteri Besar of Perlis on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said that one of the matters discussed in the meeting was his resignation as Chairman of Perikatan Nasional.
He said the reasons for the decision were explained in detail to the members involved.
"There are various views, and I respect them, but the decision is ultimately mine. Whatever it is, when the meeting convenes, the matter will be decided and finalised.
"I won't explain until the Perikatan meeting is held later. The date is unknown; it may be in the near future.
"I heard that the Perikatan Deputy Secretary-General will issue a letter for this meeting," he explained.
