PERLIS Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli has been told to convince investors in the state to stay amid a corruption probe into his administration.
Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said there is no need for Shukri to step aside unless he is charged in court as he is innocent until proven guilty.
But it is important for Shukri to reassure investors and the civil service that he is able to lead under the glare of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation, Mahfuz said.
Earlier this week, Shukri was detained by MACC to answer questions on his administration. The investigation centres on RM600,000 of false claims in connection with uncompleted government projects.
His son is also under probe.
Shukri's predecessor, Datuk Seri Azlan Man was charged last year with making false claims and receiving RM1.2 million in proceeds from illegal activities.
Mahfuz said Perlis is now in trouble as plans to develop the state could be delayed by the investigations.
"Things may come to a standstill in the nation's smallest state."
Former Perlis Umno strongman Datuk Seri Zahidi Zainul Abidin said inexperience could have led to the suspicions of graft. He said the state administrators were new at the job because this was the first time PAS was governing the state.
"A degree of understanding about how the state and federal bureaucracies operate is important when leading a government," said Zahidi. – May 3, 2024.
