ARAU, 19 March - The Raja of Perlis today made the unprecedented gesture of speaking frankly about the recent crisis over the tussle for the mentri besar’s post. In breaking his silence, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail said the events leading to the appointment of the menteri besar should be regarded as a lesson for future events. The Perlis Ruler said the events which led to the appointment of Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu were “out of the ordinary.”
"In these past days, there was an unusual event which occurred in Perlis. It was a change in which the elected representatives and assemblymen did not give a vote of confidence for the previous menteri besar. This matter had confused the laymen. But for those who knew and understood the law, it was a simple matter."
"Now, that matter has become history. We cannot change the past. But I hope in the future, every government officer would hold closely and respect the constitution. If not, the country and state would be in chaos," he said after witnessing the swearing-in of seven state executive council members in Istana Arau. He was speaking off the cuff despite having a prepared text with him during the 11.30am ceremony.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin regretted that there were parties who took advantage of the supposed confusion over the matter. "There were some who had used certain parties, including the newspapers, for their own benefit,” he said. “The appointment was done according to Perlis' constitution, and was based on the constitutional monarchy principle.”
Md Isa was appointed on Monday. The ceremony was witnessed by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, former state secretary Datuk Ismail Othman and state legal advisor Abdul Rasid Sudin.
Nevertheless, the Raja of Perlis thanked former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and his previous Exco members for leading the state government during the past four years.
On the state's development, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin urged the people to continually better themselves and not rely on subsidies while urging for more development of job opportunities.
"I don't want Perlis to be known as only suitable for pensioners. Many migrate to bigger towns due to the absence of jobs here. I hope the new leadership would look into this."
The ruler urged all Exco members and the other assemblymen to focus on developing the state, advising them to fulfill their obligations as elected representatives of the people.
On development, the Raja of Perlis urged the new state leadership to set up a think tank for education and solving the people's problems.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin would also seek help from Universiti Sains Malaysia, of which he is the chancellor to develop the think tank.
The state government was also urged to utilise expertise from two universities- Universiti Malaysia Perlis and Universiti Teknologi Mara, Arau - to develop the think tank.
"In these past days, there was an unusual event which occurred in Perlis. It was a change in which the elected representatives and assemblymen did not give a vote of confidence for the previous menteri besar. This matter had confused the laymen. But for those who knew and understood the law, it was a simple matter."
"Now, that matter has become history. We cannot change the past. But I hope in the future, every government officer would hold closely and respect the constitution. If not, the country and state would be in chaos," he said after witnessing the swearing-in of seven state executive council members in Istana Arau. He was speaking off the cuff despite having a prepared text with him during the 11.30am ceremony.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin regretted that there were parties who took advantage of the supposed confusion over the matter. "There were some who had used certain parties, including the newspapers, for their own benefit,” he said. “The appointment was done according to Perlis' constitution, and was based on the constitutional monarchy principle.”
Md Isa was appointed on Monday. The ceremony was witnessed by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, former state secretary Datuk Ismail Othman and state legal advisor Abdul Rasid Sudin.
On the state's development, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin urged the people to continually better themselves and not rely on subsidies while urging for more development of job opportunities.
"I don't want Perlis to be known as only suitable for pensioners. Many migrate to bigger towns due to the absence of jobs here. I hope the new leadership would look into this."
The ruler urged all Exco members and the other assemblymen to focus on developing the state, advising them to fulfill their obligations as elected representatives of the people.
On development, the Raja of Perlis urged the new state leadership to set up a think tank for education and solving the people's problems.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin would also seek help from Universiti Sains Malaysia, of which he is the chancellor to develop the think tank.
The state government was also urged to utilise expertise from two universities- Universiti Malaysia Perlis and Universiti Teknologi Mara, Arau - to develop the think tank.
