Bersatu’s Abu Bakar sworn in as Perlis MB amidst coalition rift

KANGAR: The Perlis political crisis, triggered by the sudden resignation of its Menteri Besar on Dec 25, took an unexpected twist after Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia was sworn in earlier today to succeed Mohd Shukri Ramli from Pas.

Abu Bakar’s appointment came amid fierce criticism from Pas leaders and supporters towards its partner in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, following the move by five Bersatu assemblymen and three Pas elected representatives to withdraw their support for Mohd Shukri last week.

On Thursday, Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang was reported as saying that the party had submitted the names of two candidates to Istana Arau to replace Sanglang assemblyman Mohd Shukri, who resigned due to health reasons.

Hadi stressed that Pas still controls six seats in the Perlis state legislative assembly — despite the expulsion of three of its representatives who withdrew their support for Mohd Shukri — compared with Bersatu’s five seats.

Abu Bakar’s appointment came after the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, held an audience with 13 of the 15 Perlis assemblymen, including Mohd Shukri and Abu Bakar, at Istana Arau.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said the assemblymen had conveyed that they entrusted the decision to him and were prepared to accept whomever he chose.

The Perlis Ruler said the decision to appoint a new menteri besar was not an easy one and required careful consideration.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin decreed that Pas and Bersatu must set aside their differences and reunite for the good of the people and the state. He added PN elected representatives must accept the reality that cooperation and mutual support are essential.

“This ceremonial occasion is meant to take place roughly once every five years. In Perlis, this is the first time it has happened (in this manner), as the menteri besar resigned due to health reasons, necessitating the appointment of a new one,” said Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.

“Unfortunately, various speculations, slanders, accusations, and other undesirable matters have arisen. I hope all this will come to an end from now on, for the good of the state,” he added.

In the same address, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin also expressed his appreciation to Mohd Shukri for his service over the past three years.

In response, Abu Bakar pledged to uphold the spirit of cooperation within PN to ensure the coalition remains intact until the end of the current term.

Calling on all parties to respect the decree of the Perlis Ruler, Abu Bakar said he would include Pas assemblymen in the new state executive council (exco) line-up.

“We must close our ranks and fully support the decree of the Raja of Perlis for Bersatu and Pas to continue working together in the state government until the end of the current term,” Abu Bakar said.

“If we work together and deliver the best service to the people, we believe voters will return us for the next term,” the Perlis Bersatu chief told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

Abu Bakar said he hoped the national leaderships of Bersatu and Pas would resolve outstanding differences to facilitate the appointment of the new Exco members.

“Yes, there are a few issues to settle, but we will move quickly to form the new exco line-up. We hope to achieve a balanced representation between Bersatu and PAS assemblymen,” he said.

Responding to critics who questioned his eligibility to assume the post — given that Pas holds more seats than Bersatu in the Perlis state assembly —Abu Bakar said the issue did not arise as all candidates had contested under the PN banner.

“As I have said, PN is a coalition comprising Pas and Bersatu. Personally, I do not believe the rift between Bersatu and Pas in Perlis is that serious. It is our political opponents who are exaggerating the situation.

“Both Pas and Bersatu are part of PN, so the number of seats held by each party should not be an issue,” he said.

Abu Bakar also expressed hope that Pas would not proceed with plans to push for by-elections in the three state seats held by assemblymen who were expelled from the party.

During the 15th state election in November 2022, PN scored a surprise landslide victory in Perlis, ending Umno-led Barisan Nasional’s 65-year dominance of the state. PN won 14 of the 15 seats, with Pas securing nine and Bersatu five. Abu Bakar won the Kuala Perlis seat.

Mohd Shukri, who was then the Perlis Pas commissioner, was subsequently appointed menteri besar. His resignation came after eight PN assemblymen—five from Bersatu and three from Pas —submitted statutory declarations withdrawing their support for him, which Shukri described as “an unprecedented betrayal”.

Pas responded by expelling the three assemblymen for breaching party discipline. Its deputy president, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, subsequently called on Bersatu to take disciplinary action against its own assemblymen for destabilising the PN-led state administration.

Pas supporters have also urged the party leadership to review its cooperation with Bersatu within PN. A banner reading “Bakar Hamzah Pengkhianat. Selamatkan PN” (“Bakar Hamzah is a traitor. Save PN”) was erected in Kuala Perlis on Saturday.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh had earlier proposed reviving Muafakat Nasional, a political alliance between Umno and Pas, amid the political turbulence in Perlis.