The Malaysian Insight

PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) Perlis is confident of winning the state in the general election if Barisan Nasional (BN) does not field former Arau MP Shahidan Kassim.

Perlis PN chairman Mohd Shukri Ramli said this is because Shahidan, who is formerly a menteri besar and a minister, is highly influential in the state.

“Shahidan’s influence is extensive in Perlis, not only in Arau. This is because he is the kind of person who goes out to personally meet the people,” Mohd Shukri told The Malaysian Insight.

Shukri, who is a PAS Perlis commissioner, said he is not sure if Shahidan will return to defend his seat which he has held since 1986 due to differences with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“In terms of strength, Shahidan is there but because he does not share the same (opinion) with the president and Perlis Chief Minister Azlan Man, maybe his chances (to be nominated) are a little slim.

“If Umno changes its strategy we will lose; it will be bad for us if (they) nominate Shahidan (as a candidate).

“But we are not sure yet if Shahidan will compete,” he said.

Azlan, who is Perlis Umno relations chairman, said this month that Umno had submitted at least five names to be screened as candidates for each parliamentary and state assembly seat in the state.

His statement differed from Shahidan’s, who previously said Arau Umno division had submitted a candidate for the seat.

Meanwhile, Shukri said PN is confident it can provide competition in Arau and Kangar constituencies as well as 10 of the 15 state seats in Perlis.

“We aim to win,. We are aiming for two parliamentary seats but we have yet to discuss our target for state seats. We may go for nine or 10 seats.

“We are looking at Kangar and Arau, and if Shahidan is not contesting, it will be easy,” he added.

Besides Arau and Kangar, Perlis has another federal seat, which is Padang Besar, previously won by Zahidi Zainul Abidin, a former deputy minister of energy, communications and multimedia.

Zahidi and Shahidan are among two Umno leaders who are not in Zahid’s camp and friendlier with party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Speculations are rife that the two Perlis Umno leaders may not be nominated for the GE.

Ready

Shukri said the coalition has a suitable menteri besar candidate ready.

“Even though the candidates have not been named, there are many people supporting us. We have started working, putting up flags; that’s enthusiasm,” he said.

PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin at the end of September also hinted that PAS will lead the government if the coalition wins Perlis.

BN yet to finalise names

Meanwhile Perlis BN has yet to finalise its candidates and is expected to complete the process next week.

The Malaysian Insight understands the party wants to resolve issues in order to avoid a constitutional crisis on the appointment of a menteri besar as happened in 2018.

“BN will discuss candidates and seats to avoid a repeat of the Perlis crisis without a menteri besar, following the issue between Azlan and Shahidan.

“It will also be decided who the menteri besar will be; let’s say (the candidate) wins, he will be appointed, no more picking and choosig,” said a source from Perlis Umno.

The crisis happened after GE14, when BN lost at the federal level but kept Perlis.

BN won 10 of the state seats in Perlis while PH won three and PAS the remaining two.

The crisis caused Perlis not to have a menteri besar for two weeks.

Sources said among the names submitted for the parliamentary seat is Umno Supreme Council member Fathul Bari Mat Jahya.

“Fathul Bari is also said to be among the candidates considered for one of the available seats.

“In fact, Azlan is also believed to be eyeing an opportunity to run for the parliamentary seat,” he said.

GTA looking to make inroads

Among other parties contesting in Perlis is Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) founded by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Perlis GTA protem chairman Tajul Haslam Tajudin is open to working with opposition parties in the state to overthrow BN.

Perlis Warisan chairman Abdul A’zib Saad on October 21 announced that the party will stand in all three parliamentary seats and six state seats.

PH is targeting two parliamentary seats and seven state seats, said state PKR deputy chairman Noor Amin Ahmad.

In GE14, the party won one parliamentary seat in Kangar and three state seats – Indera Kayangan, Kuala Perlis and Sena. – October 25, 2022.