“His action may be seen as interference into the affairs of the Perlis state government as he has no connection legally,” Sri Ram told FMT.
The retired Federal Court judge said this after Shahidan, who is also Perlis Umno chief, insisted that nine BN assemblymen were not in favour of Azlan’s appointment as menteri besar.
It was reported today that Shahidan was now working on a “legal process” to resolve the issue to proof to the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Syed Jamalullail that Azlan did not enjoy the support of a majority of the assemblymen.
Shahidan said it was untrue that the nine assemblymen were supporting Azlan’s appointment as menteri besar for the second term.
Sri Ram said despite Shahidan’s position as an MP for Arau in Perlis and as the chief of the state BN and Umno, he did not have the right to interfere in the affairs of the state.
“That is the business of the 15 assemblymen only,” he said, adding that in the past, BN or Umno might have proposed their candidate for the MB post to the ruler but that was purely customary.
He said, for example, the Federal Constitution empowered the king to appoint a prime minister who in his discretion had the confidence of the majority of the members in the Dewan Rakyat.
Sri Ram said the Perlis assemblymen, including those from BN, could take a vote of no confidence against Azlan when the state assembly was convened.
Perlis was thrown into turmoil last week when the nine assemblymen boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of Azlan as menteri besar.
The Raja of Perlis , who was upset by the conduct of the BN assemblymen, said he did not pick Tambun Tulang assemblyman Ismail Kassim, Shahidan’s younger brother, because he did not want someone who could be a “puppet” in the hands of others.
In the recent polls, BN won 10 seats, PKR 3 and PAS 2 in the state assembly.