9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Perlis MB loses in bid for Arau Pas chief post
ARAU: The Pas Arau division polls delivered several surprises as Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli failed in his bid to unseat incumbent Solahudin Azmi from the division chief position.
Two state executive councillors in Shukri's state administration also failed in the race for the deputy division chief and vice chief positions.
The biggest shock came with the defeat of Shukri, who is also the state Pas commissioner in a straight fight with Solahudin Azmi.
He garnered only 43 votes, while Solahudin secured 128 votes.
For the deputy division chief position, the state Youth and Sports Committee chairman, Mohd Ridzuan Hashim, who is also Guar Sanji asemblyman, won comfortably with 135 votes, defeating the incumbent and current Perlis state State Assembly speaker, Rus'ele Eizan, who received just 34 votes.
In the contest for vice division chief position, the state Agriculture, Plantations and Consumer Affairs Commitee chairman Razali Saad, was defeated after receiving only 39 votes compared to the incumbent Mohd Yusairi Mansor, who won with 130 votes.
The Arau Pas division held its annual general meeting today, with participation from 173 delegates representing 60 branches.
In his speech, Solahudin expressed gratitude for being re-elected to the position.
"This outcome reflects the delegates' confidence in the current leadership team, and it does not diminish the significant contributions of state leaders in steering the administration based on Islamic principles and collective leadership.
"Losing in this election doesn't imply a rejection of the state government's leadership, but rather it's a normal process within Pas' mature political culture.
"The fact that there was competition in this election proves that Pas practises genuine grassroots democracy," he said.
He added that the defeat of several state leaders should not be interpreted as a sign of rejection.
"Instead, it offers an opportunity to further strengthen each leader's role within the leadership ranks.
"What's more important is that those elected must now shoulder the great responsibility of leading the community," he added.
As for the Kangar Pas division, its annual general meeting is scheduled for June 28, where a contest is expected between the incumbent chief, Yussaine Yahya, and Senator Baharudin Ahmad.
Meanwhile, in Padang Besar, the upcoming annual meeting on June 22 is also drawing attention as the incumbent chief, Saad Seman will be challenged by fellow state Exco member Muhammad Azmir Azizan.
