ARAU: Perlis Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief Abu Bakar Hamzah has waged 'war' against the leadership of Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli today for not appointing him as the state executive councillor.
The Kuala Perlis assemblyman claimed that Shukri had acted against the wish of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who had nominated him to fill up the post.
Abu Bakar, also the state Perikatan Nasional vice chairman 1, claimed that this was the second time Shukri ignored Muhyiddin's wish after failing to include his name in the state exco line-up last year.
"He (Shukri) has never discussed the exco appointment with the state PN leadership. The state PN meeting has also never been called since the general election a year ago.
"This action also upsets Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which is equivalent to disrespecting his decision to nominate me as the highest leader in state Bersatu and PN, to be appointed exco member.
"I am disheartened that the menteri besar has gone against the decision made by the party president, who is also the national PN chairman, in nominating me as the state exco member," he told reporters at the parking area of Istana Arau here today.
Abu Bakar was met after attending the swearing-in of the Perlis state executive council at the palace.
He claimed that this was the second time his name was 'dropped' from being appointed as the state exco member after being left out for the first time last November after PN secured a surprise victory in Perlis during the 15th General Election.
Abu Bakar also lashed out at two Bersatu assemblymen, Izizam Ibrahim and Megat Hashirat Hassan, alleging the duo were the mastermind behind the move to drop his name as the state exco member.
"I also regret the action by certain state Bersatu leaders who had backstabbed me in the state exco appointment," he said.
In the swearing-in ceremony today, Bersatu Tambun Tulang assemblyman Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak was appointed as the new exco member, while Pas Kayang assemblyman Asrul Aimran Abd Jalil was sworn in as the state executive councillor to replace Pas Bintong assemblyman Fakhrul Anwar who was dropped from the list.
