KANGAR, June 3 — The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, wants Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah to be given the space to continue leading the state administration until the end of the current Perlis State Assembly term without any interference.

His Royal Highness said political stability is a crucial factor that will influence investors’ confidence to invest in the state.

As such, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin called on all state assemblymen to set aside their egos and extend full and continuous cooperation to Abu Bakar for the benefit of the people and the state.

“I wish to remind all Honourable Members that this is my government. Therefore, I hope that the Menteri Besar will be given the space to continue leading until the end of the 15th Perlis State Legislative Assembly term without any interference that could disrupt the plans that have been put in place.

“All Honourable Members are reminded to prioritise the interests of the people over personal interests,” he said in his royal address at the opening of the fourth term of the 15th Perlis State Legislative Assembly sitting at Kompleks Seri Putra here today.

His royal address was delivered on his behalf by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said differences in political views should not become a barrier or obstacle to sincere efforts to bring development and investment into the state.

The Ruler also said that the state government must always maintain good relations with the federal government, particularly in terms of development and various forms of support for the benefit of the people of Perlis.

“I commend the series of visits and courtesy calls made by the Menteri Besar to various ministries to strengthen cooperation between the state and federal governments.

“I hope that these noble efforts will continue to be enhanced and sustained to ensure that the state’s development agenda can be implemented smoothly and effectively,” he said. — Bernama

KANGAR, June 5 — Rumours of a no-confidence motion against Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah never materialised as the Perlis state assembly wrapped up its three-day sitting today.

Abu Bakar said this should end the polemics dogging his administration and prove that Perikatan Nasional (PN) representatives, especially from PAS and Bersatu, are still working together, Harian Metro reported this afternoon.

“Alhamdulillah, today it is crystal clear.

“Actually, this issue (vote of no-confidence) is deliberately being played up by parties who are trying to pit us against each other and break the relationship between Perlis PN representatives.

"However, in politics we have to consider various possibilities.

“But today we have succeeded in proving that there is absolutely no motion or matter that can damage and sever ties between Bersatu and PAS,” he told reporters after the sitting ended at Kompleks Seri Putra here.

The Bersatu politician also expressed his appreciation to all PN assemblymen, especially from PAS, for their full commitment in not bringing such a motion.

He said the consensus was also a manifestation of the representatives’ obedience in upholding the Perlis Ruler Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail's wish for his administration to continue until the end of the term in December 2027.

“I would like to thank all parties, especially the assemblymen from PAS.

“Unwanted matters have been avoided and most importantly, we always remain calm in PN,” he said.

Commenting on the sitting which began last Wednesday, he praised the professional attitude of all members who debated maturely without touching on personal sensitivities.

The sitting was initially scheduled for April 21 to 23, but was amended later.

This sparked various speculations including demands for explanations from six PAS representatives.

However, Abu Bakar said the date change was made to give him space to carefully map out his leadership direction and state planning, as he had only been in the post for three months.

KANGAR, June 5 — Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Hamzah today said the state government will adopt a wait-and-see approach following a meeting between PAS and Umno leaders in Kuala Lumpur, stressing that any political development must place Malay unity at the forefront.

He said Malay-based political parties should work together and remain united in defending the rights and interests of the community, Utusan Malaysia reported this afternoon.

“As far as I am concerned, we will wait and see how the situation develops. What is important is the unity of the Malays. Even within our own parties, we should maintain good relations. Whatever problems arise, we should discuss them properly and not quarrel.

“The people are the ultimate judges who will determine the direction of the country’s leadership, and that is the most important thing,” the Bersatu politician was quoted as saying after the Perlis State Legislative Assembly sitting at Kompleks Seri Putra here.

He was responding to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s confirmation that PAS and Umno leaders had met yesterday, with the Marang MP describing it as a routine meeting. 

Abdul Hadi had also said efforts to revive Muafakat Nasional were consistent with PAS’ long-standing objective of strengthening Malay-Muslim political cooperation.

On the current Perlis assembly sitting, Abu Bakar said proceedings had been smooth, with assemblymen debating issues professionally without resorting to personal attacks.

“This is where we want to preserve the relationship within the PN government, which is the most important thing. It is about maintaining good relations among all assemblymen and the entire state leadership,” he said.

Closer to home, the menteri besar also moved to bury revived allegations of statutory declarations (SDs) allegedly aimed at removing his predecessor, Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Ramli.

He said his earlier remarks were merely intended as advice and a reminder to Perlis PAS Youth chief Haziq Asyraf Dun to stop reviving the old controversy surrounding the alleged document.

“As I said yesterday, regarding the SD issue, I never mentioned it and we do not know whether it exists because we were summoned one by one by His Royal Highness the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.

“I also did not say whether it exists or not; I merely asked that the matter be stopped. Whatever the case, if such matters exist, we should put them behind us.

“I was simply offering advice and a reminder to the PAS Youth chief that we should stop talking about this SD issue. We should focus on the assembly sitting and on preparing our election machinery,” he was quoted as saying.

Yesterday, Utusan Malaysia reported that PAS Youth maintained its belief that there had been an effort involving SDs signed by Bersatu assemblymen to bring down Mohd Shukri, based on alleged admissions by three former PAS assemblymen whose party memberships had been terminated during a meeting with PAS central leadership on Dec 21 last year.

Abu Bakar said the state government remained firm in its view that the SD issue should not be revisited because it was an old matter that certain parties were attempting to revive.

“Today it is crystal clear that this matter will not be raised again, God willing,” he was quoted as saying.

KANGAR, June 5 — The long-delayed Perlis Malaysia Sports School project in Bukit Chabang near Padang Besar is expected to be completed by January 2027, according to Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah.

He said the construction progress of the project has reached about 60 per cent and remains on track for completion within the projected timeline, with the federal government demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring the project’s successful implementation.

“I met the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, last March, and he was very committed to helping Perlis and resolving the issue involving the Perlis Sports School.

“I sought his assistance, and the very next day he informed me that instructions had been issued to expedite the construction and completion of the sports school,” he told reporters after the State Assembly sitting today.

Abu Bakar said the sports school, named after the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, is expected to serve as a catalyst for the development of sports in the state and help produce more talented athletes in the future.

On April 27 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a Facebook post, stated that the Perlis Malaysia Sports School project, which had been abandoned for the past 12 years, should be handed over immediately to a capable government-linked company to ensure its completion. — Bernama