KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 26): PAS has submitted two names as candidates for the now vacated Perlis menteri besar (MB) post to the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, according to various media reports.

Mohd Shukri Ramli, who is also a member of the Perlis state legislative (Adun) for Sanglang, voluntarily stepped down from his position as MB on Wednesday (Dec 25), citing health issues.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang reportedly told journalists at a meeting at his residence on Friday that PAS still controls six Perlis state seats despite revoking three members’ party membership, meaning it can still propose a candidate to the Raja of Perlis. Bersatu holds five seats, while PKR has one.

He added that the party is prepared to face a Perlis by-election.

Bersatu has reportedly submitted the names of three candidates for the MB's post  —  Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah, Megat Hashirat Hassan (Pauh) and Izizam Ibrahim (Titi Tinggi).

Abdul Hadi also reportedly denied that the actions of eight assemblymen to withdraw support for Mohd Shukri had led to his departure. He said Mohd Shukri’s decision was solely because of a medical concern. On Dec 22, it was reported that Mohd Shukri received treatment at a hospital in the federal capital after experiencing chest pain upon returning from an overseas trip.

Several Perikatan Nasional (PN) assemblymen in Perlis were reported to have met the Raja of Perlis after losing confidence in Mohd Shukri, withdrawing their support for him. On Dec 24, Abdul Hadi announced that the party had terminated with immediate effect the membership of three Perlis assemblymen — Saad Seman (Chuping), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong) and Mohd Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji), for their part in the withdrawal of support for Mohd Shukri.

Perlis state legislative assembly Speaker Rus’sele Eizan will formally notify the Election Commission (EC) next week of the unexpected vacancies involving the three seats.

Rus’sele said the state assembly has 21 days to inform the EC following Thursday’s announcement that the Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji seats had fallen vacant.

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