PERLIS’ political landscape has been thrown into flux after Bintong Assemblyman Fakhrul Anwar Ismail, recently expelled from PAS, revealed he has been approached by several political parties with offers, including potential candidacies.
Fakhrul Anwar, one of three PAS lawmakers whose memberships were immediately terminated for signing a statutory declaration expressing no confidence in Chief Minister Mohd Shukri Ramli, spoke candidly about his current position.
“I have received some ‘untoward’ offers from various parties and have even been offered to stand as a candidate,” Fakhrul Anwar told Sinar Harian on Saturday. Despite the enticements, he emphasised his enduring loyalty to PAS, a party he has served since his youth.
“I still cherish PAS’ mission… my involvement started long ago, not just for a day or two… from nothing, fate granted me the position of YB. But we must recognise that being in the party is not about any one individual.
PAS has three core responsibilities: serious political service, tarbiah, and da’wah. Even if obstructed politically, the other two aspects remain avenues to contribute,” he explained.
Fakhrul Anwar confirmed he intends to lodge an appeal to PAS within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that it is an individual right, the approval of which rests with party leadership.
He also indicated that his two fellow dismissed PAS assemblymen, Saad Seman of Chuping and Mohd Ridzuan Hashim of Guar Sanji, are likely to file similar appeals.
The expulsions followed a broader political rift in Perlis, where eight assemblymen, including three from PAS and five from Bersatu, signed declarations against the Chief Minister’s leadership.
PAS’ Central Working Committee subsequently invoked party constitutional clauses to terminate the memberships of the three PAS assemblymen immediately.
The resignation of Mohd Shukri Ramli on 25 December, citing health concerns, has intensified the political manoeuvring over his replacement. Senior state EXCO and PAS assemblyman Muhammad Azmir Azizan of Santan has emerged as a frontrunner for the Menteri Besar role, reportedly enjoying strong support from PAS central leadership and maintaining close ties with the outgoing Chief Minister.
If Bersatu is given the opportunity to nominate, Abu Bakar Hamzah is widely regarded as a leading contender, given his proven track record as an EXCO member, assemblyman for Kuala Perlis, and his position as State Chairman of Bersatu Perlis and PN Deputy Chair.
According to Perikatan Nasional sources, Bersatu has submitted three names for consideration: Abu Bakar Hamzah, Izizam Ibrahim of Titi Tinggi, and Megat Hashirat Hassan of Pauh.
Perlis PN Chairman and PAS Deputy Commissioner III, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, emphasised that the appointment of a Menteri Besar should reflect majority support among assemblymen.
“In this state, PAS holds nine seats, and the final decision depends on that support. This is not merely about the office itself, but how it is handled wisely and judiciously,” he stated, urging restraint and patience as party leadership finalises decisions.
PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that the party has forwarded two potential names for the post to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, underscoring that PAS retains control of the Perlis assembly despite the dismissal of its three assemblymen.
The political developments set the stage for a critical leadership transition, with the appointed Menteri Besar tasked with steering Perlis’ government for the remaining one and a half years until the 16th General Election. - December 27, 2025
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