KUALA LUMPUR – Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said he has accepted his replacement as Perlis Umno liaison chairman.
Shahidan said while he respected Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s decision, he also hinted that Padang Besar Umno division chief and current Perlis Umno deputy Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin should have been appointed to the post instead.
“The decision to appoint the state lies under the discretion of the president. It is his prerogative to appoint whomever he feels is right for the position.
“Perhaps he (Zahid) should have appointed Padang Besar Umno chief. Based on political performance, he (Zahidi) delivered so well during the last general election,” Shahidan told reporters here tonight at the Seri Pacific hotel claiming he was in the dark over the move.
Zahid has appointed Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man as the new state Umno liaison chairman, replacing Shahidan, effective today.
While thanking Zahid, Shahidan also reminded the party that under his stewardship of the Perlis Umno, they managed to secure 10 parliamentary seats in the state out of 15 during the last general election.
“During his stint as Padang Besar Umno division chief, Zahidi secured all five state seats under the division for Umno. Therefore, he deserves to be considered,” he added.
In yet another twist before Umno’s Supreme Council meeting tomorrow, Azlan’s replacement of Shahidan was announced today, taking effect immediately.
In a brief statement, Zahid thanked Shahidan, who is also former Perlis menteri besar, for his services as Perlis Umno liaison chairman.
Shahidan who was appointed as 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) Corporation Malaysia chairman last month, is among several Umno MPs who are giving continuous support for Bersatu, which is frowned upon by Zahid.
As the party’s former Perlis chairman, Shahidan was able to attend Umno Supreme Council meeting as an unelected member.
It is learnt that the appointment of Azlan would effectively bar Shahidan from attending the meeting and voicing out any possible dissent against Zahid, with the former replacing the Arau MP on the party’s highest decision-making body.
Despite eventually pledging loyalty to Umno’s leadership, Shahidan had questioned the party’s decision to sever ties with Bersatu, having stated that this should be left as a collective decision by the individual MPs and not the party’s Supreme Council. – The Vibes, April 25, 2021
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