GE15: Kedah State Legislative Assembly stable, six Bersatu assemblymen remain loyal

ALOR SETAR - Six Kedah Bersatu assemblymen have expressed their undivided support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor after the Kedah State Legislative Assembly is not dissolved.

The matter was stressed by Guar Chempedak assemblyman Datuk Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail in brushing aside speculation that the state PN government would falter following Sungai Tiang assemblyman Datuk Suraya Yaacob’s resignation as exco on Thursday.

Ku Abd Rahman said the state government would not be affected by the resignation of Suraya who was Umno state assemblyman (Adun).

"I am confident that there is no Bersatu Adun who would support any efforts or push towards the dissolution of the Kedah State Assembly.

"Our position in the state government has not changed and the Kedah PN government is still stable," he said when contacted on Friday.

He said all six Bersatu assemblymen in Kedah were not influenced by any elements that could disrupt the political stability in the state and would continue their duties until the Kedah State Assembly is dissolved.

"We do not need to do too much politicking. Focus must be given to the people's well-being and the state's development," he said.

Besides Ku Abd Rahman, five other assemblymen were Mohd Firdaus Ahmad (Kuah), Datuk Halimaton Shaadiah Saad (Bukit Kayu Hitam), Datuk Juhari Bulat (Ayer Hangat), Azman Nasrudin (Lunas) and Dr Robert Link Kui Ee (Sidam).

From the six Bersatu assemblymen, five represented the state government exco while another was the Kedah State Assembly Speaker.

On Thursday, Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced that the Central Pas Working Committee Meeting decided to strengthen their cooperation with PN to face the 15th General Election (GE15) other than maintaining their stance not to dissolve the Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah State Assemblies.

Suraya who was the Kedah Umno information chief resigned from her position as exco in Kedah PN government following Pas' decision, besides Umno and BN that chose to go solo in GE15.

It gave rise to speculations that the six Bersatu assemblymen had conspired with two Umno state assemblymen to withdraw support towards the state government to urge for the Kedah State Assembly to be dissolved.

As of now, the Kedah State Assembly was led by PN with 15 seats represented by Pas and six represented by Bersatu while two were represented by Umno.

Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan (PH) was represented by PKR with five seats, Amanah (four), DAP (two) and Pejuang with two seats.

Ku Abd Rahman said there was no such internal movements to topple Kedah PN and the state government was expected to remain strong and united.

"The few remaining months would be utilised fully to give the best for the people especially those in their own areas to continue developing Kedah.

"At the moment, I am leading Kulim Technology Park Corporation trade and investment mission to the United States to attract investors especially in the manufacturing industry," he said.

He said there were no changes in the state government's position and all the assemblymen have been carrying out their duties as usual.

"We will work harder with more spirit, the era of politicking for yourself is long gone, politics are for the people," he said.

Meanwhile, Firdaus said he would remain loyal to Bersatu to strengthen the governance in the state level or even at the federal level.

"The opposition has 11 seats, other than two owned by Umno and two by Pejuang. Even though two Umno assemblymen withdrew their support and left Kedah PN or supporting the opposition bloc, it did not disturb the stability of the state government.

"This is due to PN still having the majority to govern Kedah with 21 seats," he said.

He said the people needed to be sensitive with the political situation to enable them not to be swayed by the pressure insisting the State Assembly to be dissolved.

"The Kedah government supported by Muhammad Sanusi is quite stable. The stability could actually maintain until the end of the term.

"After the election, I feel that the existing state government is the government that was chosen by the people," he said.