Perlis Pas, PN not in turmoil - Shahidan

SHAH ALAM - Arau Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim rejects claims that the leadership of Pas and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Perlis is in turmoil, as suggested by some parties.

The former Perlis Menteri Besar who is now a member of Pas also added that all Pas leaders in the state were united and never had disagreements among themselves.

Therefore, any allegations of a cold war between Shahidan and the Perlis Menteri Besar, who is also the Perlis Pas commissioner Mohd Shukri Ramli on internal issues and matters related to religious understanding were untrue.

"Why would I have a disagreement with the Perlis Menteri Besar? I am not a State Legislative Assembly member, and I have no interest in or intentions to vie for any position in the state government now.

"Shukri (Perlis Menteri Besar) and I are good friends now and are both in Pas. We cannot argue because we are in the same party and congregation," he told Sinar Premium.

Shahidan made these remarks in response to a news portal report that claimed that the PN coalition in Perlis was in turmoil due to internal disputes within the state's Pas.

Perlis Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairman Abu Bakar Hamzah alleged that the 'turmoil' involved issues related to religious understanding, organising work processes and the administration of the state, which was won by PN in the 15th general election (GE15), marking the end of Barisan Nasional (BN).

This statement followed the warning by Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang during the 69th Pas Muktamar in Shah Alam last Sunday, who urged party members not to be ‘saboteurs’ trying to overthrow the government under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Shahidan also said that he believed the allegations of disagreements between him and Shukri were intentionally raised by certain parties to create a negative perception of him, now that he was with Perlis Pas.

"That's why you (the media) should ask those who raised the allegations why they claim that Perlis Pas is in turmoil. Our relationship is perfectly fine," he said.

Previously, Shahidan added that he was comfortable to pledge loyalty to the party and had no interest in vying for positions within Pas.

Therefore, the former Federal Territory minister hoped that no one would continue to question his position in the party.

"I am loyal now. Please don't ask that question again. I have stated in Parliament that I am a true member of Pas and PN," he said.