ARAU: Eight Barisan Nasional (BN) State Assemblymen took their oath of office as Perlis state Executive Councillors yesterday in what is seen as an end to the political crisis that had erupted over the choice of Menteri Besar. Only one State Assemblyman, Datuk Ismail Kassim of Tambun Tulang, did not attend the swearing-in before the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, at Istana Arau, and so did not take the oath of service. The Raja of Perlis presented the instruments of appointment to the councillors. The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, also attended the ceremony.
Also present were Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Azlan Man, State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Hamdan Bahari, State Secretary, Datuk Dr Syed Omar Shahabuddin Syed Ikhsan and the three Pakatan Harapan and one PAS assemblymen. Chuping State Assemblyman, Asmaiza Ahmad was the first to take the oath, followed by Nurulhisham Yaakob (Simpang Empat), Azizan Sulaiman (Santan), Hamizan Hassan (Kayang), Ruzaini Rais (Beseri), Rozieana Ahmad (Pauh), Siti Berenee Yahaya (Mata Ayer) and Teh Chai Aan of MCA (Titi Tinggi). The crisis erupted after nine of the 10 BN assemblymen did not attend the swearing-in of Azlan as the Menteri Besar on May 24. They had opposed the appointment of Azlan as the Menteri Besar and had wanted Ismail, younger brother of Perlis UMNO Liaison Committee Chairman, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, to be made the Menteri Besar. However, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said he did not want to appoint a Menteri Besar who would become a “puppet” controlled by “external forces”.
Later today, at a press conference, Azlan announced the portfolios of the state executive councillors. Azlan himself holds the portfolios of Administration and Finance, Investment and International Trade, Economic Planning and Industrial Development, Land Affairs and Security and Public Order. Azmaiza would be holding the portfolios of Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, Development of New Growth Centres, Tourism and Culture, Arts and Heritage. Nurulhisham would be holding the portfolios of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Plantation Industries and Commodities, Coordination of Integrated Enforcement and Public Complaints. Azizan would be holding the portfolios of Housing and Local Government, Hawkers and Petty Traders, Domestic Trade; Cooperatives and Consumerism, CouncillorsDevelopment of Entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Industries.
Hamizan would be holding the portfolios of Public Amenities and Infrastructure, Transport, Youth and Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations. Ruzaini would be holding the portfolios of Islamic Religious Affairs, Welfare and Disaster Aid and Border Relations and Cooperation. Meanwhile, Rozieana would be holding the portfolios of Education, Human Resource Development, Science, Technology and Innovation and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Siti Berenee would be holding the portfolios of Women, Family and Community Development, Community Solidarity and Special Functions. Teh would be holding the portfolios of Natural Resources and Environment, Biotechnology and Green Technology and Health.
