KANGAR: The Perlis State Legislative Assembly will formally notify the Election Commission next week of the unexpected vacancies in three state seats, Speaker Rus’sele Eizan said.
He said the assembly has up to 21 days to submit the official notification following yesterday’s announcement of vacancies in the Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji constituencies.
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“I need some time before making the formal notification to the Election Commission as there are several matters that must be settled first,” he said.
Rus’sele had earlier announced that the three seats were declared vacant after the memberships of the respective PAS assemblymen were terminated with immediate effect, in line with Clause (1)(a)(ii) of Article 50A of the Perlis State Constitution.
He was also reported as saying that by-elections should be held to fill the vacancies in the interest of political stability, despite the Perlis assembly having surpassed the three-year mark on Dec 18.
Previously, media reports said several Perikatan Nasional assemblymen in Perlis had met the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, to express a loss of confidence and withdraw support for Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
Following this, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said in a statement on Dec 24 that the party memberships of Chuping assemblyman Saad Seman, Bintong assemblyman Fakhrul Anwar Ismail and Guar Sanji assemblyman Mohd Ridzuan Hashim were terminated with immediate effect, in accordance with Clauses 76 and 15A(1)(b) of the PAS Constitution (Amendment 2025).
In the 15th General Election, Perikatan Nasional won 14 of the 15 state seats in Perlis, comprising nine PAS assemblymen and five from Bersatu, while Pakatan Harapan secured one seat through PKR in Indera Kayangan.
On Thursday, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli has submitted his resignation citing health reasons.
Speaking at a press conference at the official Menteri Besar’s residence today, Mohd Shukri said he had handed his resignation letter to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, earlier in the afternoon.
He said the resignation will take effect once it receives the consent of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
“I leave the matter entirely to the wisdom of His Royal Highness Tuanku in considering my decision,” he said.
The Sanglang assemblyman also expressed his heartfelt appreciation to state government officials and the people of Perlis for their cooperation and support during his tenure.
