Siapa Layak Menjadi Pemimpin Malaysia?

The political uncertainty in Perlis seems to be over with a deal struck on a mid-term change in state leadership.

It is understood that Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim will defend his Tambun Tulang state seat after a deal was made for him to remain as Mentri Besar for only two years, Umno sources said.
Sources said Shahidan gave his word to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Putrajaya on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad are said to be aware of the written agreement.

“This is the compromise that was reached,” said a highly-placed party source who declined to be identified.

When reporters asked him to confirm this yesterday, Shahidan was evasive.

“I have heard people saying so, but I don’t know,” he said.

At a press conference held by Radzi at his home in Bintong later, the Home Affairs Minister, who is defending his Kangar parliamentary seat, did not want to talk about the matter.

He only said that this would be his last general election, adding that he wanted to pave the way for younger blood.

After Friday’s announcement that Shahidan would stay on as Mentri Besar, the political drama continued here yesterday.

Only this time, it involved his younger brother, Senator Datuk Ismail Kassim.

Shahidan announced the full list of candidates to contest the 15 state and three parliamentary seats before a huge crowd that had gathered at Dewan 2020 here at 10am.

For the Arau parliamentary seat, the name read out was that of Ismail.

The incumbent MP, Datuk Seri Syed Razlan Syed Putra Syed Jamalullail, was announced as the candidate for the Pauh state seat.

However, at 1pm Shahidan announced that the Barisan Nasional leadership had agreed to a switch to enable a lone woman candidate to be fielded, with Perlis Wanita Umno chief Datuk Mastika Junaidah Husin getting the Arau parliamentary seat.

But in the evening, the decision was reversed and Ismail was given back the seat.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid will defend his Padang Besar parliamentary seats.

Both Radzi and Azmi were not in the hall. Eight new faces are contesting state seats.

They are the MCA’s Yip Sun Onn, who will contest in Titi Tinggi and Dr Por Choo Chor in Indera Kayangan, and Umno's Matrawi Kassim in Beseri, Datuk Mat Isa Sabu in Bintong, Jamil Saad in Sena, Mat Hassan in Kuala Perlis, Bakri Datuk Ali in Kayang and Abdullah Hassan in Sanglang.

Abdullah has been given the task of wresting Sanglang, the opposition’s sole seat in Perlis, now being held by PAS.

PAS is contesting 12 state and two parliamentary seats, while Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is contesting three state seats and one parliamentary seat.

Azmi, 66, said he was surprised with the party leadership’s decision to re-nominate him for the Padang Besar seat, although he had expressed his intention to retire.

“I am so touched, this shows that my services are still needed. We have to work hard.

“I am confident that the voters in Perlis will vote for the Barisan although new faces are being fielded,” he added. - THE STAR