Palaces intervene in appointment of two MBs

KUALA LUMPUR: A constitutional crisis is looming in Perlis as the Raja of Perlis has rejected the Barisan Nasional's choice for the state's Mentri Besar but has instead appointed another assemblyman who is also a member of the ruling coalition. 

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail appointed Bintong state assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the new Mentri Besar in place of Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who was chosen by Barisan chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to continue to be the MB. 

Who’s the MB?: Shahidan has been chosen by the Prime Minister to be the Perlis MB but the Raja of Perlis has picked Bintong state assemblyman Dr Md Isa Sabu (below, right) as the MB instead. – AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star

There also seems be a problem over who should be the Mentri Besar in Terengganu. 

Barisan’s 23 assemblymen have been called to meet the Regency Advisory Council today to discuss matters pertaining to the appointment of the Terengganu Mentri Besar. 

However, state Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who is the choice of the coalition, will not be attending the meeting, scheduled to take place at 11am at a hotel in Putrajaya. 

It has been speculated that the Terengganu palace has come up with the names of two Barisan assemblymen to take over from Idris. 

 Dr Md Isa has accepted the appointment from the Raja of Perlis. 

 Abdullah is standing by his decision to have Shahidan as MB. 

 Constitution seems to side with the Rulers on the naming of Mentris Besar. 

 Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to meet Perlis Barisan assemblymen.

--THE STAR