Perlis: A state ruled by a single party?

PERLIS is on the verge of making history as the only state government with a single party and no coalition if PAS is adamant in wanting no part of the state machinery.

Newly sworn-in Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah, who is the Kuala Perlis assemblyman, said that his party - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will only submit four names and his to the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Bersatu and PAS together with Gerakan are allies through the national Opposition Front of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

They also formed the state governments in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and previously Perlis.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan reportedly told the media that the PAS state executive councilors in Perlis would resign en bloc to demonstrate support for Abu Bakar's predecessor Mohd Shukri Ramli, who resigned last week on grounds of poor health.

But it is learnt that Shukri was apparently pressured to exit the post due to internal strife and the inconsistent support from Bersatu after it was revealed that nine backbenchers signed statutory declarations to withdraw support for Shukri.

Abu Bakar said the state has no choice but to respect PAS' position and it had no option other than to continue administering the state by appointing all Bersatu assemblymen.

"At present, we have no alternative. Only five Bersatu assemblymen, including myself, won seats in the last general election. While the number is small, it is not wrong to proceed. We must give them space to serve the people of Perlis and continue the PN administration without PAS," he told journalists here.

There are now five Bersatu elected representatives, six from PAS and one from Pakatan Harapan (PKR) while there are also three independent assemblymen after they were sacked from PAS for participating in the move to withdraw support for Shukri.

Under the Perlis Constitution, the minimum requirement to form a state government line - up is one-third of the total number of assemblymen.

"Even with only five Bersatu assemblymen, this meets the constitutional requirement. The minimum number of exco members is four, so we can proceed with the new appointments as soon as possible," he said.

On portfolio arrangements, Abu Bakar said that it was unlikely to reduce the number of portfolios, although some restructuring was possible.

"We will not reduce the portfolios, but there may be abolitions or mergers, similar to what was done previously," he said.

He added that the full reshuffle and appointment of the new Perlis exco were expected to be finalised within two weeks,

Abu Bakar also did not rule out the possibility of including three former Pas assemblymen who were dismissed from the party, should they regain their seats as independents.

"If no by-election takes place and the three former Pas assemblymen are able to reclaim their seats that were declared vacant by the Speaker, we will consider forming a workable grouping.

Bersatu has four other assemblymen.

They are Izizam Ibrahim (Titi Tinggi), Datin Marzita Mansor (Sena), Megat Hashirat Hassan (Pauh) and Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak (Tambun Tulang).

In another development, Perlis PAS leaders are pressing for by-elections to be held in the three seats they had expelled their representatives, citing that there are constitutional grounds.

Lawyers whose views were sought, also revealed that the country has a constitutional monarchy but there are occasions that elected leaders can also beg to differ with regards to political appointments or elections.

One case is Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS refusal to form a national unity government following the conclusion of the 15th general election in 2022.- December 31, 2025.