KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) — The Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has given his consent for the appointment of Bintong state assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the new Menteri Besar of Perlis in place of Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
The Raja of Perlis’ private secretary, Moh Adib Zakaria, in a statement distributed to reporters gathered in front of Istana Siraj here at 2.40pm today, said the appointment was made under Article 39 (2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Perlis.
Under this provision, the ruler shall appoint a person who he thinks has the confidence of the majority of the members of the state assembly to become the menteri besar to head the state government.
“Based on this provision and after being satisfied with his ability to garner the support of the majority of the state assemblymen, His Royal Highness has consented to appoint Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the Menteri Besar of Perlis effective March 14 2008,” he said.
Dr Md Isa was a Perlis state executive councillor until 2004 when he was not re-nominated to contest in the general election that year.
He was nominated to contest in Bintong in the general election last Saturday and won the seat by defeating PAS’ Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir with a majority of 2,110 votes. He polled 4,882 votes against Mohd Anuar’s 2,772.
Earlier, Shahidan was seen entering Istana Siraj at about 11.40am to have an audience with the Raja Perlis. He emerged hour later.
When approached by reporters, he said his appointment as menteri besar had yet to be decided although he received the appointment letter from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday.
“Right now, it’s final from the prime minister…it’s me (for the menteri besar’s post). The Raja has the power to determine who is elected,” he said.
Shahidan, who was in a hurry to leave the palace grounds to perform Friday prayers at Masjid Putrajaya, said he would meet the prime minister for further discussion.
Asked on the possibility of interference from certain parties, he said: “Maybe”.
A grey Proton Perdana car which was said to be carrying a representative of Kangar MP Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad was also seen entering the palace grounds at 11.50am.
Also present at the meeting was the Raja of Perlis’ brother, Datuk Seri Syed Razlan Putra Jamalullail, who is also the Pauh state assemblyman. He arrived at 12.50pm and left 15 minutes later, followed by the car carrying Radzi’s representative.
Yesterday, Shahidan admitted that some parties were not agreeable with his appointment as Perlis menteri besar and had met Abdullah to ask that he not be given the post.
Her had also said that those within the Perlis Umno group who had agreed to support him earlier were now opposing his appointment.
— BERNAMA
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