Perlis govt to stay till GE

KANGAR: The Perlis administration will remain intact until the next general election, says Peri­katan Nasional state leadership.

Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah (Kuala Perlis State Assemblyman)

Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah (pic) said this followed a meeting among coalition leaders on Monday who pledged their support for the current state government.

He welcomed the stance by state Perikatan and PAS leadership, describing it as a strong show of support that reinforced the stability of the government.

“I am grateful for their commitment to defend the coalition. We respect one another,” he said.

On the postponed state assembly meeting, Abu Bakar, who is the Kuala Perlis assemblyman from Bersatu, said a new date would be announ­ced within the next few days.

“I hope the meeting will proceed smoothly without disruption. Everyone must ensure the administration of the assembly runs in an orderly and proper man­ner,” he said.

The state assembly was originally scheduled to meet from April 21 to 23.

However, a postponement notice issued last Friday sparked speculation of a no-confidence move against Abu Bakar’s leadership.

The Mentri Besar explained the postponement was to allow the state to further refine its administrative preparations, pointing out that he had only assu­med office in December last year.

Meanwhile, former men­tri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said a vote of no confidence against the current administration was unnecessary.

“A vote of no confidence? Not necessary. We will just let things continue until the next general election,” he said when contacted.

Earlier, Perlis Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim described talk of a no-confidence motion as mere speculation, stressing that ties between PAS and Bersatu remain intact.

He said that the PAS central leadership had already decided to support the current administration until the next general election.

The Perlis government faced a crisis when eight assemblymen from Perikatan – comprising three from PAS and five from Bersatu – reportedly submitted statutory declarations withdrawing their support for Mohd Shukri.

He subsequently resigned, ­citing health reasons.

Abu Bakar was later appointed as mentri besar without a snap election.

The state assembly has 15 seats, with PKR’s Gan Ay Ling the sole Opposition member.