KANGAR: The Raja of Perlis has called for Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah to lead the state administration until the current term ends next year.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail said political stability is crucial to ensure development plans proceed without disruption.
“I urge all honourable members to set aside their ego and place the interests of the people and the state above all else,” the Ruler said in his royal address at the opening of the 15th Perlis State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
The previous state polls, which took place concurrently with the general election in November 2022, saw Perikatan Nasional taking control of Perlis from Barisan Nasional.
The Ruler’s remarks came following tensions within Perikatan in Perlis that eventually led to Abu Bakar of Bersatu becoming Mentri Besar last December.
Late last year, the Perlis government was plunged into a crisis when eight Perikatan assemblymen – three from PAS and five from Bersatu – withdrew their support for then mentri besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
Mohd Shukri, who is from PAS, later resigned, citing health reasons.
Abu Bakar said last month that the state assembly would be dissolved if a vote of no-confidence was tabled against him.
The state assembly, which was originally scheduled to meet from April 21 to 23, was deferred before it eventually sat yesterday.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin told the state assembly yesterday that His Royal Highness hoped the Mentri Besar would be allowed to continue leading the state government until the end of the current term to avoid disrupting plans already in place.
The Ruler urged all the assemblymen to work with Abu Bakar to ensure the smooth running of the administration and the effective implementation of government policies.
“Any differences of opinion and disputes should be resolved with wisdom and prudence, and in the spirit of harmony.
“Every plan and decision must be guided by the interests of the people and aimed at balanced development encompassing economic growth, social progress and public well-being,” Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin added.
The Ruler said the state government had allocated RM359.58mil under Budget 2026, including RM115.16mil for development expenditure. As of April, RM19.45mil had been utilised.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin commended Abu Bakar’s efforts to strengthen ties with Putrajaya, citing the proposed Royal Gallery, which is expected to receive funding from the Tourism Ministry, as an example of cooperation that could benefit the state.
The Ruler also welcomed the Perlis Progressive Leader Plan 2030, describing it as a proactive initiative to improve the state’s investment ecosystem and attract more investors.
On development spending, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said Perlis received RM632.56mil for 188 projects under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, of which RM474.17mil (74.96%) was spent last year.
Under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan, the state received RM661.7mil. As of April, RM87.46mil (13.22%) had been spent on 354 projects.
Perlis’ 15-seat state assembly comprises 11 Perikatan representatives – six from PAS and five from Bersatu – and PKR’s Gan Ay Ling, the sole Opposition assemblyman.
Three seats – Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji – were declared vacant after their assemblymen were sacked by PAS, with no by-elections required.
